Nigeria’s crude oil production declined again in August 2025, reversing gains that had seen the country exceed its OPEC quota for two straight months.
Fresh data from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), obtained from government sources, showed that Nigeria pumped an average of 1.43 million barrels per day (mbpd) in August. This was down from 1.507 mbpd in July and 1.505 mbpd in June.
The drop means Nigeria produced 66,000 barrels per day short of its OPEC quota of 1.5 mbpd for the month. This setback contrasts with June and July, when output had slightly exceeded the quota, providing a boost to government claims of recovery in the oil sector.
August’s output also marked a sharp fall of 73,000 barrels per day from July, interrupting what officials had described as a major achievement of the Bola Tinubu administration.
For context, Nigeria’s oil production averaged 1.47 mbpd in Q1 2025 and 1.48 mbpd in Q2 2025, figures the government had celebrated as evidence of sustained recovery in the upstream sector.
The latest downturn raises concerns about the country’s ability to maintain momentum in stabilising crude output amid ongoing challenges in security, infrastructure, and market volatility.
