Nigeria’s crude oil production rose above its Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota in May 2026, reaching its highest level in 15 months amid improved operational stability and the absence of major disruptions across key oil facilities.
Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission showed that the country produced an average of 1,530,354 barrels of crude oil per day in May, representing 102 per cent of its 1.5 million barrels-per-day quota approved by OPEC.
When condensate production of 170,446 barrels per day is included, Nigeria’s total oil output rose to 1,700,800 barrels per day, reinforcing its position as Africa’s largest oil producer. The figures were disclosed by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications at the commission, Eniola Akinkuotu.
According to the commission, production performance remained strong throughout the month, fluctuating between 1.51 million barrels per day and a peak of 1.86 million barrels per day.
An analysis of the data shows that the May output represents Nigeria’s highest crude production since January 2025 and the strongest combined crude and condensate output since July 2025, when production hit 1,712,282 barrels per day.
On a month-on-month basis, crude oil production rose by 2.77 per cent from 1.48 million barrels per day recorded in April 2026, reflecting a steady upward trend over recent months.
The commission attributed the improvement to operational stability across upstream assets, noting the absence of major pipeline breaches, facility shutdowns, or unplanned outages during the review period. It also highlighted the completion of scheduled maintenance activities as a key factor supporting higher efficiency.
Among production streams, Bonny Terminal led with 293,870 barrels per day, followed by Forcados Terminal at 289,900 barrels per day and Qua Iboe at 173,360 barrels per day. Escravos Oil Terminal and Odudu (Amenam Blend) also contributed significantly to national output.
The stronger production figures are expected to provide a boost to government revenues and foreign exchange earnings at a time when Nigeria is seeking to stabilise public finances and improve economic growth.
Despite the positive performance, the country has continued to face challenges in meeting its OPEC quota in recent years due to oil theft, pipeline vandalism, ageing infrastructure, and underinvestment in the sector.
However, renewed efforts by government authorities and industry operators to improve security and asset integrity are beginning to yield results, with sustained output above quota now seen as a key target going forward.
Maintaining this momentum will depend on continued operational stability, fresh investment inflows, and the prevention of renewed disruptions across critical oil infrastructure.
