The Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s upstream subsidiary has reached a major milestone. NNPC Exploration and Production Limited recorded a daily output of 355,000 barrels of oil on December 1. This is the company's highest single-day production level since 1989.
The achievement was confirmed in a statement from NNPC's Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh. He said the record marks a significant step for Nigeria’s upstream oil sector. It reflects a company transformation focused on efficiency and disciplined operations.
Company data shows a substantial rise in average daily production over two years. Output grew from 203,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 312,000 in 2025. This represents a 52 percent increase in average daily production. Officials attribute the growth to a clear business strategy. This strategy is anchored on operational excellence and stronger asset management. Structured field development plans also played a key role.
This record comes at a critical time for Nigeria's energy plans. The federal government has set ambitious production targets. The goals are to reach two million barrels per day by 2027. A further target of three million barrels per day is set for 2030. Industry players had previously viewed these targets as optimistic.
The Nigerian oil sector has faced serious challenges over the past decade. Production frequently fell below quotas set by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Problems included pipeline vandalism and widespread crude oil theft. Underinvestment and deferred maintenance on aging fields also hurt output. Between 2021 and 2023, the country's production dropped to multi-decade lows. This raised concerns about lost revenue and the industry's future.
Recent reforms aimed to reverse this decline. The Petroleum Industry Act provided a new legal framework. The old NNPC was unbundled into a commercial entity called NNPC Limited. Renewed interventions in the upstream sector were also launched.
Senior NNPC leaders have commented on the milestone's broader meaning. Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari said the achievement is solid proof. It shows Nigeria’s energy revival is already happening, not just a dream. He stated that by exceeding its own benchmarks, NNPC E&P confirms essential building blocks are in place. These blocks are needed to scale up national oil output.
Ojulari said the result converts national ambition into measurable momentum. He noted it should boost confidence among investors. It also reassures global partners that Nigeria is committed to being a stable crude supplier.
Executive Vice President for Upstream, Udy Ntia, emphasized the approach behind the numbers. He said the milestone represents more than just a production figure. In a sector where shortcuts can cause long-term damage, the company is making a different point. Sustainable progress must rest on responsible operations. This ensures that scaling production does not harm worker safety. It also protects community well-being and the environment.
Nicolas Foucart is the Managing Director of NNPC E&P Limited. He said the record performance mirrors a wider transformation across NNPC Limited. He credited leadership with a clear vision and accountable partnerships. A hard-working workforce turned goals into measurable progress. Foucart said the accomplishment means more than increased barrels for Nigerians. It translates into greater national revenue and stronger energy security. It also helps build a more resilient economic foundation.
The record from NNPC's subsidiary is one part of a larger national picture. Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission shows a mixed trend. In July 2025, Nigeria's total oil and condensate production averaged 1.71 million barrels per day. This was a 9.9 percent year-on-year increase from July 2024. However, more recent NNPC group data indicates fluctuations.
An August 2025 NNPC financial report showed a monthly production dip. Crude oil and condensate production averaged 1.65 million barrels per day that month. The company attributed this decrease to scheduled maintenance at upstream facilities. The maintenance was aligned with work at the Nigeria LNG plant.
The recent success of NNPC E&P also follows external scrutiny. In early November, a presidential advisor publicly questioned the state company's capacity. The Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen, spoke at an industry conference. She noted that NNPC E&P was then producing about 220,000 barrels a day. She asked if the company could fund the major drilling campaigns needed for growth. Verheijen suggested the country might need to restructure asset ownership. The goal would be to invite operators with stronger technical and financial capacity.
NNPC E&P Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of NNPC Limited. It is responsible for several joint venture and production-sharing assets. The company has been positioned as a key driver of the sector's revival. To boost output, it implemented several strategies. These include optimized field management and renewed contractor agreements. Strengthened governance structures and ramping up underperforming assets also helped.
The record of 355,000 barrels in a single day provides a data point for optimism. It shows that with specific strategies, elements of Nigeria's oil sector can achieve significant growth. This contributes to the broader national effort to improve supply levels.
The company leadership maintains a focus on the future. They state they are building for tomorrow, not just celebrating today's achievement. The coming years will test whether this milestone is a temporary peak. It could also be the start of a sustained recovery for Nigeria's upstream oil sector.
What do you think Nigeria must do to ensure this production increase is sustainable and benefits the national economy? Can the country realistically meet its target of 3 million barrels per day by 2030? What are the biggest risks that could derail this progress?