OPEC Reports Nigeria’s Oil Output Rose to 1.459m bpd in January

Nigeria’s crude oil production reached 1.459 million barrels per day (bpd) in January 2026. This shows an increase of 37,000 bpd over December 2025, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) February 2026 Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR).

The data was submitted by Nigerian authorities to OPEC and published on Wednesday. It highlights a modest rebound in production and keeps Nigeria as Africa’s largest crude oil producer within OPEC.

Oil Production Context

January’s figure of 1.459 million bpd marks an improvement from the 1.422 million bpd in December 2025. However, it still falls short of Nigeria’s OPEC quota of 1.5 million bpd.

Secondary source estimates, which use external energy-tracking data, suggested Nigeria’s output was slightly higher at around 1.47 million bpd during the same period.

Analysts note that the gap between direct reports and secondary estimates is common in OPEC reporting due to different measurement methods.

Despite the shortfall, the recent increase indicates ongoing recovery efforts in Nigeria’s upstream oil sector. This sector has faced significant challenges in recent years.

Issues like pipeline vandalism, crude theft, and underinvestment in production infrastructure have historically limited output and made it hard to meet quotas.

Industry and Policy Perspectives

Government and industry leaders are focusing on stabilizing and increasing production. At the 2026 International Energy Week (IEW) in London, NNPC Ltd Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari highlighted the need for strategic investments and regional cooperation to improve production resilience and expand output capacity.

“Our pathway is clear: grow production responsibly, scale gas as the backbone of Africa’s industrialisation, strengthen environmental accountability, and align with global decarbonisation objectives, while ensuring that Africans are not left behind in the energy transition,” Ojulari said at the event

He also underscored the need for coordinated infrastructure and policy frameworks among African oil producers to attract investment and improve energy security on the continent.

Broader OPEC Output Dynamics

Across OPEC’s 22 member countries, total crude production averaged about 42.448 million bpd in January 2026. This reflects a slight decline compared to the previous month, according to the same OPEC report.

While some members, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, saw production increases, Nigeria’s rise was among the more notable month-on-month changes.

This is despite overall cartel output being affected by supply disruptions in other regions.

Conclusion

Industry experts say Nigeria’s production path will remain vital not only for OPEC’s supply balance but also for the country’s economic stability.

Crude exports play a central role in government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. Ongoing efforts to tackle security challenges, simplify investment frameworks, and upgrade production assets will be crucial if Nigeria is to meet its quota and achieve greater output in the future.