Nigeria’s upstream oil recovery gained major momentum on December 1, 2025, as NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NNPC E&P) delivered a daily crude output of 355,000 barrels—the subsidiary’s highest production figure since 1989. The milestone reflects a sharp rebound in national performance after years of underproduction and sectoral disruptions.
The achievement was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, who said the latest numbers underscore the operational turnaround underway within the group. According to the report, NNPC E&P’s average daily output has climbed 52 per cent in two years, rising from 203,000bpd in 2023 to 312,000bpd in 2025.
Odeh attributed the growth to strengthened operational systems, disciplined asset management and structured field development, describing the record-breaking output as “a significant step forward” aligned with the subsidiary’s new performance-driven culture.
‘Nigeria’s Energy Revival Is Already Underway’ — GCEO
Reacting to the milestone, NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, said the performance demonstrates that Nigeria’s long-discussed energy resurgence is no longer aspirational but unfolding in real time.
“By showing its ability to exceed its own production benchmarks, NEPL confirms that the essential building blocks for scaling national output are being firmly established,” Ojulari said. He added that the achievement strengthens investor confidence and reassures global markets of Nigeria’s commitment to reclaiming its role as a stable crude supplier.
Ojulari further noted that the development brings the government’s ambitious production targets—two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million by 2030—closer to feasibility.
Commitment to Responsible, Sustainable Output
Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, emphasised that the production surge reflects more than technical efficiency. According to him, NNPC E&P has prioritised responsible operations, avoiding shortcuts that may yield short-term gains but risk long-term environmental, safety or community consequences.
“This ensures that scaling production does not compromise worker safety, community wellbeing or environmental protection,” Ntia said, reiterating that the company’s growth model is designed for resilience and sustainability.
Sector Rebounds After a Decade of Decline
Nigeria’s oil production has struggled over much of the past decade, frequently falling below OPEC quotas due to crude theft, pipeline vandalism, underinvestment, deferred maintenance and the decline of ageing fields. Between 2021 and 2023, national output slipped to multi-decade lows, prompting concerns about revenue stability and the future of Africa’s once-dominant oil producer.
Reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the commercialisation of NNPC, and renewed upstream interventions have since begun to reverse the decline. NNPC E&P, which manages several joint venture and production-sharing contracts, has been pivotal to this turnaround, implementing field optimisation strategies, improving contractor alignment, strengthening governance frameworks and reviving previously underperforming assets.
Record Output Signals Renewed Stability
The December 1 milestone—NNPC E&P’s highest daily output in 36 years—marks a significant stride toward stabilising national production levels. Industry analysts say the performance could help restore investor confidence and reposition Nigeria as a predictable source of crude amid global supply uncertainty.
With production now at its strongest level in decades, NNPC E&P’s trajectory suggests that Nigeria’s upstream sector may finally be gaining the sustained momentum needed to meet its medium-term national targets and rebuild long-term energy competitiveness.