Nigeria crude oil production could hit 1.9 million barrels daily, NUPRC says, following improved output and ongoing industry reforms

Nigeria’s crude oil production could rise to 1.9 million barrels per day in the near term, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, as the country continues its gradual recovery from years of output disruptions and infrastructure challenges.

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The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, aimed at strengthening cooperation on oil and gas revenue administration.

Eyesan revealed that Nigeria’s oil sector had recorded encouraging growth in recent months, with crude production reaching a peak of 1.86 million barrels per day in May, one of the strongest performances recorded in recent years.

The development signals renewed momentum for an industry that has battled crude theft, pipeline vandalism, ageing infrastructure and underinvestment, all of which have constrained production and government revenues.

Speaking during the meeting, Eyesan said ongoing reforms and collaboration among industry stakeholders were beginning to deliver tangible results.

“We are back to production. We are ramping up now, and we want to continue working. We still recognise the constraints. Infrastructure and asset integrity are major constraints, but we will work on these,” Eyesan said.

The NUPRC chief noted that expanding human capacity across the sector remains critical as operators seek to sustain growth and meet rising industry demands.

Eyesan also highlighted efforts to modernise the Commission, revealing that one of the key priorities upon assuming office was the digitisation of NUPRC operations, a target she said has largely been achieved.

Beyond production growth, discussions between the two agencies centred on improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in the collection of petroleum revenues under Nigeria’s evolving regulatory framework.

“The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Nigeria Revenue Service have deepened their collaboration to promote transparency and accountability in the collection of oil and gas revenue,” a statement issued by NUPRC’s Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, said.

Eyesan commended the leadership of the Nigeria Revenue Service for reforms that culminated in the enactment of the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, describing the transition of revenue collection responsibilities as seamless.

“We are here to enable them, enable their businesses, ensure that they survive and succeed. And we want to grow the pie because when you grow the pie, everybody benefits,” she added.

Responding, Adedeji praised the Commission’s professionalism and commitment to transparency, pledging continued support in implementing the new revenue collection framework.

“It is in the interest of Nigeria that we work together to grow revenue for the country in transparency for the good of Nigerians,” Adedeji said.

“There is no way we would do something to jeopardise the progress or sustainability of another agency.”

The NRS chairman stressed that the agency’s role is to collect and account for revenues generated by other government institutions, including royalties from the petroleum sector.

“I collect revenue. I don’t generate revenue. Wherever revenue is, I work on it and keep an account for you. So, I’m helping you to collect your royalties,” he said.

The meeting comes as the Federal Government continues the implementation of Executive Order 9 and provisions of the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, which expanded the responsibilities of the NRS in assessing, collecting and accounting for federally collectable revenues.

Under the framework, the NRS now collects revenues on behalf of the Federal Government, including petroleum royalties and related earnings generated by agencies such as the NUPRC.

Nigeria Crude Oil Production has shown steady improvement in recent months following enhanced security around critical oil assets, renewed investment commitments and regulatory reforms introduced to attract investment and improve operational efficiency.

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While challenges relating to infrastructure integrity and production capacity remain, industry stakeholders believe the latest gains represent a promising step towards Nigeria’s long-standing ambition of consistently producing around two million barrels of crude oil per day.