The Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that the country’s crude oil production has exceeded 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) multiple times this year, signaling a strong recovery in the sector.

Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Commission, made the disclosure during a capacity-building training for journalists in Lagos.

He also highlighted significant gains in upstream activities, noting that Nigeria’s rig count has increased to nearly 70, with over 40 rigs currently active, while Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) valued in billions of dollars have been approved in the past 10 months. The Commission has also greenlit Field Development Plans worth approximately $20 billion during this period.

“Our daily crude oil production has, on multiple occasions, exceeded 1.7 million barrels per day, demonstrating our capacity to surpass OPEC targets,” Komolafe said.

Looking ahead, NUPRC plans to add one million incremental barrels per day to Nigeria’s production profile. A new licensing round is scheduled for December 1, 2025, aimed at being more transparent and globally competitive than the 2024 round. The initiative is expected to open new investment opportunities and further strengthen the nation’s oil reserves.

Komolafe emphasized the importance of the media in shaping perceptions of the sector:

“Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading producer depends not just on policy, regulation, and geology, but also on how the nation’s story is told. Your reporting has the power to reassure investors or deter them.”

This announcement comes amid ongoing efforts to boost the nation’s oil and gas sector, attract foreign investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s role as a leading energy producer on the continent.