The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said 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.
The NUPRC, in a statement by its Head, Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, on Thursday, said this brings the total combined production to 1,700,800 barrels per day and consolidates the country’s position as Africa’s largest oil producer.
The NUPRC said the average crude oil production recorded in May represents 102 per cent of Nigeria’s 1.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) of production quota allocated by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Production performance during the review period remained robust, with combined crude oil and condensate output ranging between a low of 1.51 mbpd and a peak of 1.86 mbpd.
The commission said 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 1.538 mbpd.
“The latest crude oil production statistics thus represent a 15-month high,” the NUPRC said.
On a month-on-month basis, the commission said production rose by 2.77 per cent in May as against 1.48 mbpd in April.
It said the broader production trend over the last five months has also remained positive.
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“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.”
Top-producing terminal
Among production streams, the NUPRC said 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.
What drove the increase
The NUPRC attributed 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, the commission said all previously scheduled turnaround maintenance activities had been completed, contributing to improved operational reliability and production efficiency.
