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Abuja, Nigeria
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has expressed confidence that Nigeria can increase crude oil production to 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd), following recent gains that saw the country attain a peak production level of 1.86 million bpd in May 2026.
NUPRC Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, at the NRS headquarters in Abuja. The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between the two agencies and enhance revenue generation from the oil and gas sector.
Eyesan said Nigeria's oil industry has returned to a growth trajectory, noting that the country was steadily ramping up production despite persistent challenges. "We are back to production. We are ramping up now, and we want to continue working," she said.
According to her, addressing infrastructure deficits and improving asset integrity across the oil and gas sector would be critical to sustaining production growth. She also emphasised the need for increased investment in the sector, particularly in maintenance and security, to prevent further disruptions.
The NUPRC boss highlighted the importance of collaboration between government agencies in ensuring that the gains from increased production translate into tangible revenue for the nation. "We are working closely with the Nigeria Revenue Service to ensure that every barrel produced is properly accounted for and that the government receives its due revenue," she said.
Eyesan also noted that the commission is intensifying efforts to curb crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which have historically undermined Nigeria's production capacity. "We are deploying technology and working with security agencies to protect our pipelines and ensure that production is not disrupted by criminal elements," she added.
The NUPRC's projections align with the federal government's target of achieving 2 million bpd, as outlined in the 2026 budget. However, industry analysts have cautioned that achieving the 1.9 million bpd target will require sustained efforts to address structural challenges, including ageing infrastructure, underinvestment, and security threats.
Despite the optimism, Nigeria's oil sector continues to face headwinds. The country's average production has historically hovered below its OPEC quota due to a combination of technical and security challenges. However, the recent production gains suggest that ongoing reforms and security interventions may be yielding results.
The meeting between the NUPRC and the NRS underscores the government's commitment to improving revenue generation from the oil and gas sector, which remains the backbone of Nigeria's economy. As the country continues to implement reforms, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the momentum can be sustained.