Nigeria has recorded a milestone in its oil sector after crude oil production climbed above the country’s OPEC quota for the first time in years.
The latest figures signal a major shift for an industry that has long struggled with oil theft, pipeline attacks and production setbacks.
According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the country produced an average of 1.56 million barrels of crude oil per day in June 2026.
Moreover, the figure exceeded Nigeria’s OPEC production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day by about four percent.
The strong performance also marks the fourth straight month of production growth. Meanwhile, it represents Nigeria’s highest crude oil output since April 2020, making it the best monthly performance in 74 months.
For several years, Nigeria struggled to meet its OPEC target because of pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and reduced investment.
However, recent improvements in security and production activities appear to be changing that trend.
In a statement signed by Eniola Akinkuotu, Head of Media and Corporate Communications at the NUPRC, the regulator confirmed the latest production figures.
The statement said Nigeria produced an average of 1.56 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) during June 2026.
Furthermore, condensate production averaged about 180,000 barrels per day.
As a result, Nigeria’s combined crude oil and condensate production reached approximately 1.735 million barrels per day during the review period.
The Nigeria crude oil production performance has strengthened optimism within the country’s energy sector.
According to the regulator, the increase was supported by stable production activities and the absence of major pipeline shutdowns.
Moreover, better operating conditions improved production uptime across key facilities.
The improved environment also made crude oil evacuation more efficient.
Consequently, operators were able to sustain higher production levels throughout the month.
During June, Nigeria’s highest daily production reached 1.89 million barrels per day.
Meanwhile, the lowest daily output recorded stood at 1.57 million barrels per day.
These figures suggest Nigeria is gradually moving closer to the Federal Government’s long-term production target of 2 million barrels per day.
Furthermore, stronger production could improve the country’s position within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The latest increase comes at a time when some OPEC members are gradually easing voluntary production cuts.
Therefore, Nigeria’s improved output may strengthen its influence within the global oil market.
In addition, stronger exports may improve Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
The development may also increase investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
For years, international investors remained cautious because of security concerns and operational disruptions.
However, consistent production growth could encourage fresh investment in exploration and production projects.
