By John Umeh
Nigeria recorded a modest increase in crude oil production in March 2026, with output rising to 1.38 million barrels per day, according to the latest report by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
The figure represents a climb from the 1.31 million barrels per day recorded in February, signaling gradual recovery efforts within Nigeria’s oil sector despite persistent operational hurdles.
However, the country’s output remained below its OPEC-approved production ceiling of 1.5 million barrels per day, leaving Nigeria short of its target by roughly 117,000 barrels daily.
Meanwhile, alternative estimates from independent industry sources placed Nigeria’s production slightly higher at 1.46 million barrels per day, underscoring variations in measurement approaches and data collection methods.
Despite these differences, Nigeria retained its position as Africa’s largest oil producer, surpassing Libya, which recorded approximately 1.30 million barrels per day during the same period.
The production increase comes against the backdrop of lingering challenges in Nigeria’s oil industry, including crude theft, pipeline vandalism, and aging infrastructure, all of which have contributed to fluctuating output levels in recent months.
Globally, the OPEC alliance recorded a notable drop in crude supply in March, with total production falling to an average of 20.79 million barrels per day. The decline was largely attributed to geopolitical tensions and disruptions linked to a regional conflict that began toward the end of February.
Locally, Nigerian oil authorities reported stronger production figures in early April. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission estimated output at 1.84 million barrels per day, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited put production at about 1.71 million barrels daily.
The differing figures highlight the difficulty of monitoring oil output in real time, particularly during periods of volatility in the global energy market.
Analysts note that closing the gap between Nigeria’s actual production and its OPEC quota remains critical, as higher output could boost government revenue and strengthen the country’s standing in the global oil industry.
