Nigeria’s Oil Production To Hit 1.8m BPD Before December Ending - Ojulari

Nigeria’s Oil Production Set to Reach 1.8 Million BPD Before Year-End - Insights from Ojulari

Nigeria’s oil sector is poised for a significant rebound as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) targets a production milestone of 1.8 million barrels per day (BPD) before the close of 2025.

This ambitious projection was revealed. This ambitious projection was revealed by Bashir Ojular by Bashir Ojulari, the Group Chiefi, the Group Chief Executive Officer Executive Officer of NNPCL, during of NNPCL, during a briefing with a briefing with State House correspond State House correspondents following aents following a meeting with President meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential at the Presidential Villa in Abuja Villa in Abuja.

Ojulari emphasized

Ojulari emphasized that the company has made substantial has made substantial progress in both oil and gas output progress in both. As of September 2025, Nigeria recorded oil and gas output. As of September 2025, Nigeria recorded a production level of approximately a production level of approximately 1.68 million BPD 1.68 million BPD, the highest in five, the highest in five years.

Gas production years

Gas production also surged, reaching also surged, reaching over seven billion over seven billion cubic feet daily cubic feet daily, marking a notable, marking a notable achievement in recent achievement in recent times. These figures times. These figures reflect the impact reflect the impact of strategic interventions of strategic interventions and infrastructure and infrastructure upgrades, particularly upgrades, particularly the turnaround maintenance the turnaround maintenance exercises completed exercises completed in August and September in August and September.

Ojulari stated

Ojulari stated that these efforts that these efforts have positioned have positioned the country to achieve the country to achieve the 1.8 million the 1.8 million BPD target by December BPD target by December, assuming no major, assuming no major disruptions occur disruptions occur.

The CEO also outlined

The CEO also outlined broader production broader production goals set by the goals set by the presidency, which presidency, which include scaling include scaling up to two million up to two million BPD by 2027 and BPD by 2027 and eventually reaching eventually reaching three million B three million BPD by 2030. ThesePD by 2030. These targets are part targets are part of a comprehensive of a comprehensive national strategy to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, enhance energy security, and attract foreign investment.

However, Ojulari acknowledged recent setbacks, notably the industrial dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The strike led to a temporary loss of nearly 200,000 barrels per day and disrupted about 1,200 megawatts of power generation. He commended the swift intervention by the Federal Government, particularly the Minister of Labour and Employment and the National Security Adviser, which helped resolve the crisis and restore most of the deferred output.

In addition to stabilizing production, NNPCL is intensifying efforts to combat crude oil theft and ensure operational continuity across its fields. Ojulari reiterated the company’s commitment to working closely with security agencies to safeguard critical infrastructure and maintain production momentum.

On a related note, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, confirmed that the country’s oil production has already risen from one million to 1.8 million BPD. Speaking at the Africa Energy Investment Summit in New York,

Lokpobiri highlighted the renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector, with American firms expressing strong interest in acquiring oil blocks. He stressed that Africa must leverage its hydrocarbon resources to finance its energy transition rather than rely on external aid.

In summary, Nigeria’s oil production trajectory is on an upward path, driven by strategic reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and renewed investor interest.

With the 1.8 million BPD target within reach, the country is laying the groundwork for long-term growth and energy independence.