Nigeria’s oil production witnessed an upswing in May 2026, averaging
1,530,354 barrels of crude oil and 170,446 barrels of condensates per day,
bringing the total combined production to 1, 700, 800 barrels per day and
consolidating Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest oil producer.
According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission
(NUPRC), the average crude oil production recorded in May represents 102 per
cent of Nigeria’s 1.5 mbpd production quota allocated by the Organisation of
the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
It said production performance during the review period remained robust, with
combined crude oil and condensate output ranging from a low of 1.51 million
bpd to a high of 1.86 million bpd.
The May 2026 production figures represent the highest recorded by Nigeria
since July 2025, when output surged to 1,712,282
In strict crude oil terms (excluding condensates), the 1.53 million barrels
recorded in May 2026 represents the highest Nigeria has witnessed since
January 2025, when crude oil production hit 1.538mbpd.
The latest crude oil production statistics thus represent a 15-month high. On a
month-on-month basis, production rose by 2.77 per cent in May 2026 as against
1.48mbpd in April.
The broader production trend over the last five months has also remained
positive. Combined crude oil and condensate output increased from 1.48 million
bpd in February to 1.54 million bpd in March, 1.66 million bpd in April, and
then 1.7 million bpd in May, underscoring sustained growth in Nigeria’s
hydrocarbon production levels.
Among production streams, Bonny Terminal led the pack with a total blend of
293,870 bpd, closely followed by Forcados Terminal at 289,900 bpd. Qua Iboe
ranked third with 173,360 bpd, while Escravos Oil Terminal contributed
135,470 bpd.
Odudu (Amenam Blend) completed the top five production streams, accounting
for 63,250 bpd during the month under review.
The NUPRC attributes the rise in production to a sustained positive momentum
as operations remained stable throughout the reporting period with no
significant pipeline or facility outages recorded.
Additionally, all previously scheduled turnaround maintenance activities had
been successfully completed, contributing to improved operational reliability
and production efficiency.