Nigeria produced an average of 1,687,710 barrels of crude oil and condensate per day in October 2026 — a 4.2 per cent increase from the 1,619,000 barrels per day recorded in the same month last year — an improvement the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) credits to more stable operations, fewer disruptions and smoother crude evacuation from terminals.
In a statement released by Eniola Akinkuotu, Head of Media and Corporate Communications at the NUPRC, the commission said the country’s oil output stayed above 1.6 million barrels per day throughout October, with production peaking at 1.79 million barrels on its best day and dipping to 1.60 million barrels on its weakest.
Crude Oil Alone Hits 1.51 Million bpd
When condensate — a lighter liquid that comes out of the ground alongside crude — is set aside, Nigeria’s pure crude oil production averaged 1.51 million barrels per day in October. That figure represents 101 per cent of the country’s OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day.
This is the sixth straight month that Nigeria has met its OPEC production target.
Compared with September 2026, however, output slipped slightly, falling by 1.7 per cent.
Which Terminals Produced the Most?
Five oil terminals accounted for the bulk of the country’s production in October:
| Terminal | Daily Production (barrels) |
|---|---|
| Forcados | 318,490 |
| Bonny | 311,020 |
| Qua Iboe | 173,970 |
| Escravos | 134,670 |
| Bonga | 106,650 |
Forcados and Bonny alone produced more than 600,000 barrels per day between them.
Why Production Held Steady
The NUPRC credited the performance to better operational stability, fewer production disruptions, and smoother evacuation of crude oil from terminals. The commission also praised the joint efforts of industry stakeholders in keeping oil facilities in good working condition.
What This Means
For an average Nigerian, the numbers matter because oil sales provide the bulk of government revenue. When production stays steady and meets OPEC targets, the country earns more foreign exchange and has more money to fund the budget — though higher output does not automatically translate to a better life for citizens unless the revenue is well managed.
The NUPRC’s latest figures suggest Nigeria’s oil sector is holding its ground, even as global oil markets remain uncertain.
