Nigeria’s crude oil production increased to 1.38 million barrels per day (bpd) in March 2026, according to the latest report by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
The figure, based on direct communication with Nigerian authorities, represents a 5.25 per cent rise from the 1.31 million bpd recorded in February.
Despite the improvement, Nigeria’s output remains about 117,000 bpd below its OPEC production quota of 1.5 million bpd.
Data from secondary sources, including independent energy intelligence platforms, placed Nigeria’s production slightly higher at 1.46 million bpd for the same period, reflecting variations in reporting methodologies.
Nevertheless, Nigeria retained its position as Africa’s leading oil producer in March, surpassing Libya, which recorded an output of 1.30 million bpd.
The modest recovery comes amid persistent operational and structural challenges that have affected production levels in recent months.
Globally, crude oil output across the OPEC alliance declined significantly, dropping by 7.88 million bpd in March to an average of 20.79 million bpd. The sharp decline—one of the most notable in decades—has been largely attributed to geopolitical tensions and disruptions linked to ongoing conflict.
On the domestic front, Nigerian authorities have reported higher production figures in early April. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission estimated output at 1.84 million bpd, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited put production at 1.71 million bpd.
These discrepancies highlight the challenges of real-time data tracking in a volatile market environment.
For Nigeria, the key priority remains bridging the gap between actual production and its OPEC quota in order to maximise revenue opportunities amid shifting global oil dynamics.