Nigeria recorded one of the strongest month-on-month crude oil production increases among members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in November 2025, pumping 1.436 million barrels per day (mbpd), up from 1.401 mbpd in October. The figures, contained in the December 2025 OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report, were based on direct communication between member countries and the organisation.
The 35,000-barrel increase represents Nigeria’s most significant production rise in recent months and reflects gradual progress in upstream security, asset optimisation, and stabilisation across major crude terminals. Despite the improvement, Nigeria remains below its allotted OPEC quota of 1.5 mbpd, marking the fourth consecutive month it has fallen short of the target since last meeting its threshold in July 2025.
Production levels had weakened sharply in August and September due to maintenance shutdowns and industrial disruptions. Output edged upward again in October and November, underscoring Nigeria’s continuing struggle to fully restore production and meet its allotted quota.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, recently reiterated Nigeria’s position that its current quota no longer reflects its actual capacity. He disclosed that Nigeria would push for a higher production target of at least two million barrels per day, arguing that the 1.5 mbpd cap underestimates the country’s recoverable potential. His comment came amid fluctuations that saw Nigeria’s production fall from over 1.5 mbpd in July to 1.39 mbpd in September.
OPEC’s report showed that, despite Nigeria’s growth, the group’s overall crude output remained broadly stable, rising by only 39,000 bpd to reach 25.17 mbpd in November. Saudi Arabia recorded the largest absolute rise, adding 48,000 bpd to produce 10.05 mbpd, as it maintained the bulk of the group’s voluntary supply adjustments.
Libya continued its recovery, adding 14,000 bpd to reach 1.365 mbpd despite ongoing domestic challenges. Kuwait and the UAE also saw modest increases of 10,000 bpd and 8,000 bpd respectively, while Venezuela added 10,000 bpd to reach 1.142 mbpd, supported by incremental operational improvements.
Conversely, Iraq recorded the largest production decline, cutting 40,000 bpd to output 4.1 mbpd, amid intensified pressure from OPEC to improve compliance with agreed production limits. Congo posted a smaller reduction of 8,000 bpd to 269,000 bpd. Iran, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea did not submit direct production data for the month.
Nigeria’s November performance offers a cautiously optimistic outlook as the country seeks to stabilise production, enhance security in oil-producing regions, and reinforce its case for a higher OPEC-assigned quota.
