Nigeria’s crude oil production witnessed a positive trajectory in June 2025, surpassing the quota allocated by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for the second time that year. Averaging 1,505,474 barrels per day, the country’s output represented 100.4% of its assigned quota of 1.5 million barrels per day. This achievement marked a significant improvement compared to previous months, notably May, where production stood at 1.45 million barrels per day of crude and 1.65 million barrels per day including condensate. This upward trend also contrasted with the lower output of 1.6 million barrels per day recorded in March. Including condensate, total oil production reached approximately 1.7 million barrels per day in June, with the lowest and peak combined production figures reaching 1.61 million and 1.82 million barrels per day, respectively. Despite this progress, Nigeria’s production remained below the ambitious target of 2.06 million barrels per day set in the 2025 budget.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) confirmed the positive development, highlighting the average crude oil production as exceeding the OPEC quota. The NUPRC report further detailed the daily average production for June, which totaled 1,697,045 barrels per day, encompassing 1,505,474 barrels per day of crude oil and 191,572 barrels per day of condensate. This official data corroborated the observed increase in production and reinforced the positive outlook for the Nigerian oil sector. While the June figures indicated progress, the challenge of reaching the budgeted production target remained a key focus for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the government.
NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, expressed optimism about the country’s production trajectory. He outlined a medium-term goal of reaching 2.06 million barrels per day by 2027 and projected a further increase to 1.9 million barrels per day by December 2025. Kyari highlighted the positive trend, citing the growth from 1.56 million barrels per day in March to 1.63 million barrels per day (including condensates) at the time of his statement. This consistent growth, along with improved pipeline availability, fueled expectations of continued progress in the coming months. Kyari attributed this success to industry-wide security interventions spearheaded by the NNPC. These interventions played a crucial role in enhancing the stability and efficiency of oil operations, contributing directly to the increased production figures.
A pivotal factor contributing to the positive production trend was the unprecedented 100% availability of major crude oil pipelines throughout June. This achievement, according to Kyari, was a direct result of the NNPC-led security initiatives implemented across the industry. These efforts effectively addressed pipeline disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted flow and maximizing production capacity. This improved security situation significantly reduced losses and downtime, contributing to the overall increase in output.
Despite the encouraging progress, the NNPC recognized the need for continued investment to sustain and further boost production. Kyari emphasized the company’s commitment to fulfilling its cash-call obligations to Joint Venture operations, highlighting this as a crucial factor in the turnaround. By consistently meeting these financial commitments, the NNPC ensured the availability of necessary resources for ongoing and future projects, paving the way for further production increases.
Industry experts anticipate a continued upward trend in Nigeria’s oil production in the coming months, buoyed by the improved pipeline availability and ongoing security measures. With consistent investment, effective security strategies, and a focus on operational efficiency, Nigeria is poised to continue its production growth, inching closer to its ambitious targets and solidifying its position as a major oil producer. The achievement of 100% pipeline availability, a significant milestone, is expected to have a sustained positive impact on production levels, contributing to the country’s economic growth and stability.
