Nigeria’s crude oil production could rise to 1.9 million barrels per day in the near term following recent improvements in output and ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said.
The Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, at the NRS headquarters in Abuja.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications of the NUPRC, Mr Eniola Akinkuotu.
According to Eyesan, Nigeria’s oil industry has continued to record encouraging production growth, with crude oil output reaching a peak of 1.86 million barrels per day in May 2026.
She noted that the performance signals a stronger recovery trajectory for the sector after years of production challenges linked to crude theft, infrastructure deficiencies and underinvestment.
The meeting between the two agencies focused on strengthening collaboration to promote transparency, accountability and efficiency in the collection of oil and gas revenues.
“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,” the statement said.
Speaking during the engagement, Eyesan commended the leadership of the Nigeria Revenue Service for reforms that led to the enactment of the NRS Act and described the transition of revenue collection responsibilities as seamless.
She emphasised that one of the Commission’s primary objectives is to create an enabling environment that allows operators in the oil and gas industry to thrive and expand their investments.
“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 said.
Eyesan explained that the recent gains in crude oil production demonstrate that industry reforms and collaborative efforts among stakeholders are beginning to yield positive outcomes.
She disclosed that Nigeria has the potential to increase production to 1.9 million barrels per day after attaining a peak output of 1.86 million barrels per day in May.
“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. Even human capacity in the industry—we see that because we want to grow, we must also grow that capacity to meet the demands,” Eyesan stated.
The NUPRC chief also revealed that digitisation of the Commission’s operations was one of the major targets set upon her assumption of office and noted that significant progress has been made in achieving that objective.
Responding, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, praised the Commission for its professionalism, transparency and commitment to industry development.
He pledged continued collaboration with the NUPRC, particularly in areas relating to the transfer of revenue collection responsibilities under the provisions of the new Nigeria Revenue Service Act.
“It is in the interest of Nigeria that we work together to grow revenue for the country in transparency for the good of Nigerians. So, there is no way we would do something to jeopardise the progress or sustainability of another agency,” Adedeji said.
“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 added.
The NRS chairman assured the Commission of the agency’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at increasing government revenues in a transparent, fair and sustainable manner.
The meeting comes amid the ongoing implementation of Executive Order 9 and the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, which expanded the mandate of the NRS in the assessment, collection and accounting of federally collectable revenues.
Under the new framework, the NRS is responsible for collecting revenues on behalf of the Federal Government, including royalties and other petroleum-related revenues generated by regulatory agencies such as the NUPRC.
The transition has necessitated closer cooperation between revenue-generating institutions and the NRS to ensure efficient remittance processes, accountability and transparency in government earnings from the oil and gas sector.
Nigeria’s petroleum industry has faced persistent challenges in recent years, including crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, ageing infrastructure and insufficient investment, all of which have weighed on production levels and government revenues.
However, recent improvements in security around critical oil assets, renewed investment commitments and regulatory reforms have contributed to a gradual recovery in output.
Industry observers believe the latest production gains could strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal position, boost foreign exchange earnings and improve the country’s ability to meet its crude oil production targets.
With production now approaching 1.9 million barrels per day, stakeholders say sustained investment in infrastructure, asset integrity and human capital development will be critical to maintaining momentum and moving closer to Nigeria’s long-standing objective of producing around two million barrels of crude oil per day.
