Nigeria’s crude oil production has surpassed 1.7 million barrels per day multiple times this year, signaling a significant rebound in the nation’s upstream sector, according to the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Speaking at a capacity-building session for journalists in Lagos, the Commission’s Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, highlighted major improvements across key performance indicators, including rig count, investment inflows, and field development approvals.
Komolafe revealed that Nigeria’s rig count has climbed to nearly 70, with more than 40 active rigs, reflecting renewed confidence among operators. Within the last 10 months, the Commission also approved Field Development Plans worth approximately $20 billion, alongside several Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) also valued in billions of dollars.
He said:
“This year alone, Nigeria’s daily crude oil production has, on multiple occasions, exceeded 1.7 million barrels per day, demonstrating our capacity to surpass OPEC targets.”
Looking ahead, Komolafe reaffirmed NUPRC’s commitment to boosting national output by one million additional barrels per day, a target the Commission believes is achievable through new investments and expanded exploration.
As part of this push, the NUPRC will launch a new licensing round on December 1, 2025—a process expected to be more competitive and transparent than the 2024 edition. The goal, he stressed, is to unlock fresh prospects, strengthen reserves, and widen Nigeria’s production frontiers.