Nigeria’s Oil Production Hits 1.56 Million Barrels Per Day, Exceeding OPEC Quota After Six-Year Recovery
Nigeria has exceeded its OPEC crude oil production quota after recording its highest oil output level in more than six years, according to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The regulator reported that Nigeria produced an average of 1.56 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) in June 2026, surpassing its OPEC quota of 1.5 million bpd by approximately 4%.
Including condensate production of about 180,000 bpd, Nigeria’s total oil output reached 1.735 million bpd during the month.
The June performance marked the fourth consecutive month of production growth and represented Nigeria’s strongest crude oil output since April 2020.
The increase signals a recovery for Africa’s largest oil producer, which has struggled for years with challenges including crude oil theft, pipeline damage, underinvestment and operational disruptions that limited production.
The NUPRC attributed the improvement to more stable operations across major oil-producing assets and fewer disruptions affecting pipelines and export infrastructure.
Improved production uptime and more efficient crude evacuation helped operators sustain higher output levels.
Nigeria’s combined crude oil and condensate production reached a peak of 1.89 million bpd during June, while the lowest daily output recorded during the month stood at 1.57 million bpd.
The stronger performance moves Nigeria closer to the government’s long-term ambition of increasing oil production to 2 million barrels per day.
The recovery also strengthens Nigeria’s position within OPEC as the group adjusts production policies and gradually reduces voluntary output restrictions among member countries.
Sustained production growth could provide a boost to government revenues, increase foreign exchange earnings and improve investor confidence as Nigeria continues efforts to secure oil infrastructure and attract new investment into its upstream sector.
The latest figures suggest that ongoing reforms and improved operational stability are beginning to restore Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading oil producers.
