Nigeria’s upstream revival reached a new height on December 1 when NNPC Exploration and Production Limited pushed daily crude output to 355,000 barrels, its strongest performance since 1989. The figure, confirmed in a statement from NNPC Limited’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, signals a decisive turnaround in the country’s production drive.
The latest numbers show a steady rise built over two years. NNPC E&P raised its average output from 203,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 312,000 barrels per day in 2025. The company credits the improvement to more reliable operations, stricter asset oversight, and a clearer long-term development structure.
Odeh said the December peak did not come by accident. He described it as the result of a deliberate overhaul that strengthened discipline across all fields. He added that the trend reflects a genuine transformation within Nigeria’s upstream space.
NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, welcomed the performance as proof that the country’s energy recovery is well underway. He noted that beating internal targets shows Nigeria now has the systems, technology, and partnerships to steadily expand production. He pointed out that national goals of two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million by 2030 no longer seem out of reach.
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Ojulari also argued that the record output boosts investor confidence and signals to global buyers that Nigeria intends to reclaim its standing as a dependable crude supplier.
The Executive Vice President of Upstream, Udy Ntia, said the achievement reflects more than a rise in volumes. He explained that the gains rest on responsible development, with particular attention to safety, community relations, and environmental protection. He stressed that sustainable production, not short-term shortcuts, remains the company’s guiding approach.
