By Seun Ibiyemi
Nigeria’s crude oil production climbed to its highest level in more than six years in June 2026, as the country exceeded its Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota for the fourth consecutive month amid improved operational stability and fewer disruptions to oil infrastructure.
Latest figures released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that average crude oil production rose to 1.56 million barrels per day in June, while condensate output stood at 0.18 million barrels per day, bringing total crude oil and condensate production to 1.74 million barrels per day.
The production level represents 104 per cent of Nigeria’s OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day and marks the country’s highest crude oil output since April 2020, a 74-month peak.
The figures, contained in the commission’s latest production report and conveyed in a statement by its Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, showed that June was the fourth consecutive month of production growth, underscoring the gradual recovery of Nigeria’s upstream oil sector after years of setbacks caused by crude theft, pipeline vandalism and operational disruptions.
“Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production soared to an average of 1,735,398 barrels per day in the month of June 2026, representing positive growth for a fourth consecutive month,” the statement said.
It added that crude oil production reached 1.56 million barrels per day, while condensate production stood at 0.18 million barrels per day, enabling the country to exceed its OPEC production target.
According to the report, total crude oil and condensate production increased by 2.2 per cent month-on-month from 1.70 million barrels per day in May to 1.74 million barrels per day in June.
Combined production had risen steadily in recent months, climbing from 1.48 million barrels per day in February to 1.56 million barrels per day in March, 1.66 million barrels per day in April and 1.70 million barrels per day in May.
The NUPRC attributed the improved performance to stable production operations across major oil-producing assets and the absence of significant pipeline outages during the review period.
According to the commission, enhanced operational stability boosted production uptime and improved crude evacuation efficiency, while scheduled maintenance activities were completed without major disruptions.
“The sustained growth recorded in June reflects the continued commitment of operators and industry stakeholders towards improving operational efficiency, maintaining asset integrity and enhancing production reliability across the Nigerian upstream petroleum sector,” the commission stated.
The report also revealed that Nigeria’s highest daily combined crude oil and condensate production during the month reached 1.89 million barrels per day, while the lowest daily production stood at 1.57 million barrels per day.
The milestone strengthens optimism that Nigeria could achieve the Federal Government’s medium-term target of producing two million barrels of oil per day, a goal that has remained elusive due to insecurity, oil theft and ageing infrastructure.
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An analysis of production by export terminals showed that Bonny Terminal retained its position as the country’s highest-producing terminal, recording average daily output of 318,280 barrels, up from 293,880 barrels in May.
Forcados Terminal ranked second with production of 306,360 barrels per day, compared with 289,900 barrels recorded in the previous month.
However, production at Qua Iboe Terminal declined to 164,730 barrels per day from 173,360 barrels in May.
Escravos Terminal recorded a marginal increase to 138,030 barrels per day from 135,470 barrels, while Bonga Terminal maintained stable output at 103,660 barrels per day, slightly above the 102,540 barrels per day posted in May.
The sustained growth in oil production is expected to boost Nigeria’s export earnings, strengthen foreign exchange inflows and provide additional fiscal revenues for the Federal Government as authorities intensify efforts to attract fresh investments into the upstream sector.
Nigeria has struggled in recent years to meet its OPEC production allocation because of widespread crude theft, pipeline vandalism, underinvestment and prolonged operational challenges.
However, reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act, improved security around critical oil infrastructure and closer collaboration between government agencies and oil producers have contributed to the sector’s gradual recovery.
Industry analysts say sustaining production above OPEC quotas and maintaining operational stability will be crucial if Nigeria is to realise its ambition of producing two million barrels per day and fully harness favourable global oil market conditions.
