Nigeria's crude oil production rose to 1.84 million barrels per day (bpd) in March 2026, up from 1.31 million bpd in February. The 40.5 per cent increase was confirmed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), marking a sharp turnaround in output after months of underperformance. The March figure represents one of the highest monthly production levels in over two years.
The NUPRC attributed the surge to improved operational efficiency and reduced pipeline vandalism across key oil-producing regions. Maintenance activities on major extraction facilities were completed ahead of schedule, allowing for faster resumption of drilling and export operations. The national benchmark crude, Bonny Light, continues to trade on international markets at a modest discount to global prices.
This production level remains below OPEC+ quotas allocated to Nigeria for the period, though it signals progress in stabilizing supply. The federal government relies heavily on oil revenues to fund its annual budget, and the increase may ease pressure on foreign exchange earnings.
