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Abuja, FCT – By Prime Brief Media

Nigeria's crude oil production has reached 1.71 million barrels per day, the highest level in five years, as enhanced security measures in the Niger Delta and renewed investment in upstream operations begin to yield results.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, disclosed the figures at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday. He said the output, recorded between April 2025 and April 2026, includes condensates and represents a significant recovery from the lows of below 1 million bpd recorded in recent years.

"We are making steady progress. The combination of improved security architecture, community engagement, and targeted investments is paying off. Our target is to hit 2 million barrels per day by the end of this year, and I am confident we will get there," Kyari said.

The recovery has been driven primarily by increased output from deep-water fields, tighter surveillance of pipeline infrastructure, and the reduction of crude oil theft, which had crippled onshore production. The NNPC's declaration of a state of emergency on crude oil theft in 2023 and subsequent joint operations with the Navy and private security contractors have contributed to the turnaround.

Nigeria's OPEC quota has constrained the full commercial benefit of the output increase, but Kyari said the country is in discussions with the cartel for a revised baseline that reflects current production realities. The higher output, combined with elevated global crude prices of around $117 per barrel, is expected to provide a significant revenue boost to the government.

Economic analysts have welcomed the development but caution that Nigeria must use the windfall strategically to build fiscal buffers, invest in refining capacity, and cushion the impact of higher domestic petrol prices on citizens.

Prime Brief Media will report on further economic indicators and official responses as they become available.

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