Nigeria’s crude oil production has risen to 1.71 million barrels per day, the highest level recorded in five years, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), in what the state oil company described as part of a broad operational turnaround across upstream, gas, refining and corporate governance activities.
The production figure, covering the period between April 2025 and April 2026, was contained in the NNPC One Year Mandate Report Summary released on X by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.
The latest output level is expected to strengthen government revenue, improve foreign exchange earnings and signal renewed momentum in Nigeria’s oil sector after years of fluctuating production caused by crude theft, pipeline vandalism, underinvestment and operational setbacks.
NNPC stated that beyond the national production rise, its upstream subsidiary, NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), also achieved a record peak production of 565,000 barrels per day in December 2025, marking the highest single production level in the company’s history.
Industry observers say the development suggests stronger field performance, improved asset management and a more stable production environment across key oil-producing areas.
In the gas sector, the company highlighted significant milestones in strategic infrastructure projects intended to deepen domestic gas utilisation and industrial supply.
According to the report, the River Niger crossing segment of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project was completed, while welding across the full pipeline stretch was concluded in July 2025.
The AKK pipeline is one of Nigeria’s most ambitious gas transport projects and is designed to move gas from the southern corridor into central and northern parts of the country, where it is expected to support power generation, manufacturing and wider industrialisation.
NNPC also announced the commissioning of the Assa North-Ohaji South gas processing plant, alongside the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben pipeline connection.
The projects are considered critical components of Nigeria’s long-term gas expansion strategy, especially as the country seeks to position gas as a transition fuel and a major driver of economic growth.
The company disclosed that gas supply was sustained at 7.5 billion standard cubic feet per day throughout 2025.
It further revealed that fresh supply agreements were executed with Dangote Cement, Dangote Refinery and CNG Ibese, a move expected to support manufacturing, refining operations and compressed natural gas adoption.
As part of broader policy efforts, NNPC said it launched its Gas Master Plan in January 2026.
The company also signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with China Gas Holding Ltd and Peiyang Chemical Singapore to unlock Nigeria’s gas resources through investment, technology partnerships and market development.
On refining operations, NNPC said it consolidated a 7.25 per cent equity stake in the Dangote Refinery, explaining that the decision was taken to protect national interest.
The company did not elaborate extensively on the strategic scope of that protection, but analysts believe the stake offers Nigeria stronger participation in one of Africa’s largest refining assets.
NNPC also disclosed that it adopted an incorporated joint venture model for its state-owned refineries, allowing each refinery to self-finance, operate independently and pursue commercial efficiency.
The move is widely seen as part of efforts to reduce reliance on government subventions while introducing private-sector discipline into refinery management.
In maritime and export operations, the national oil company stated that it entered into shipping partnerships with Stena Bulk and Sonangol to strengthen crude transportation and trading capacity.
It also announced the export of a new crude grade known as Cawthorne, while its Oleum lubricant brand was expanded into markets across West Africa.
The company’s internal restructuring programme also featured prominently in the report.
NNPC said it recruited 1,000 new staff members, launched a fresh performance management system and introduced a Women in NNPC programme aimed at strengthening inclusion and leadership opportunities within the organisation.
It added that monthly performance reporting had been reinstated after previous interruptions, while the company held its first earnings call in November 2025 as part of efforts to improve transparency and investor confidence.
NNPC further stated that it resumed consistent remittances to the federation account from July 2025, a development likely to be closely watched by fiscal authorities and state governments dependent on oil revenues.
On major investment projects, the company disclosed that it secured presidential approval for incentives to advance the Final Investment Decision on the Bonga South-West Aparo project, one of Nigeria’s key deepwater oil developments.
It also announced the execution of a model Production Sharing Contract for PPL 2000 and 2001, describing it as the first agreement to contain comprehensive terms for the development of deepwater non-associated gas resources.
In another notable development, NNPC said a resolution had been reached in the long-running OPL 245 dispute.
According to the report, the settlement led to the conversion of the block into a new production-sharing contract covering PMLs 102 and 103, as well as PPLs 2011 and 2012.
The OPL 245 dispute had for years remained one of the most controversial oil asset conflicts linked to Nigeria’s petroleum sector, attracting global legal attention and delaying commercial progress on the asset.
The latest report comes as Nigeria continues efforts to raise oil production, attract fresh capital, grow domestic refining capacity and reposition gas as a central pillar of future energy security.
For policymakers and investors alike, the figures presented by NNPC may be interpreted as evidence that the company is attempting to shift from a legacy bureaucracy into a more commercially driven national energy enterprise.
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