According to a statement by NNPC Limited’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, this milestone is the largest output since 1989 and underscores renewed momentum in Nigeria’s upstream oil recovery efforts.
The company reported that its average daily production increased 52 per cent over the past two years, rising from 203,000 bpd in 2023 to 312,000 bpd in 2025. The growth is attributed to strengthened operational systems, disciplined asset management, and structured field development.
“On December 1, 2025, NNPC E&P achieved a record daily production of 355,000 barrels—the highest since 1989. This milestone marks a significant step for Nigeria’s upstream sector and reflects our transformation through operational excellence and discipline,” the statement said.
NNPC Limited Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, described the achievement as evidence that Nigeria’s energy revival is “not a dream but already happening.” He noted that surpassing production benchmarks demonstrates the building blocks for scaling national output are being firmly established.
“The milestone converts national ambition into measurable momentum, bringing Nigeria closer to the presidential targets of two million bpd by 2027 and three million bpd by 2030,” Ojulari said, adding that the performance boosts investor confidence and reassures global partners of Nigeria’s commitment as a stable crude supplier.
Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, emphasised that the growth is anchored on responsible and sustainable operations, ensuring worker safety, environmental protection, and community well-being are not compromised.
Nigeria’s crude sector has faced significant challenges in the past decade, including pipeline vandalism, theft, underinvestment, and declining output from mature fields. However, reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act, the commercialisation of NNPC, and renewed upstream interventions have contributed to stabilising production.
NNPC E&P, responsible for multiple joint venture and production-sharing assets, has been central to these efforts, implementing field optimisation, contractor alignment, and governance improvements. The record 355,000 bpd output signals a major step toward stabilising Nigeria’s oil industry and restoring investor confidence.
