By Bassey Udo
Nigeria’s aspirations to increase her oil and gas reserves and production capacity received a massive boost with reports on December 1, 2025, about the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) E&P Limited (NEPL) achieving a new high in daily crude oil production levels of 355,000 barrels.
The NEPL, which the flagship upstream
subsidiary of the NNPC Limited, said the new level was its highest daily output since 1989.
The subsidiary said the milestone marks a significant step forward for Nigeria’s upstream sector and reflects the company’s ongoing transformation anchored on efficiency and discipline.
Nigeria’s aspirations include to increase its crude oil production capacity to about two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030, as well as grow its natural gas production capacity to about 10 billion cubic feet per day and 12 billion cubic feet per day within the corresponding periods.
A breakdown of the new oil production figures showed an average daily production surged by 52 percent, from 203,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 312,000 in 2025.
“This record growth is no coincidence. It stems from a clear strategy
anchored on operational excellence, strong asset management, and
structured field development,” NNPC Ltd. Chief Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, said in a statement
“NEPL’s performance demonstrates that
with the right leadership, strengthened systems, and a committed
workforce, Nigeria’s upstream sector can overcome years of instability,” he added.
Odeh said the achievement converts national ambition into measurable momentum, adding that NEPL’s delivery brings the company closer to the reality of the recent presidential targets of 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million
by 2030.
Reacting to the development, the Group CEO of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, pointed out that the milestone was proof that Nigeria’s energy revival was not a dream, as it is already happening.
“By showing its ability to exceed its own production benchmarks, NEPL
confirms that the essential building blocks for scaling national output are
being firmly established.
The achievement signals that the machinery of production —equipment, processes, capabilities, and partnerships— can be driven with commercial discipline to produce real and positive outcomes,”
Ojulari said.
The achievement by NEPL, he said, reinforces confidence nationally and
across the global energy landscape, assuring partners and investors that
Nigeria was committed to reaffirming its role as a dependable energy
supplier.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice President, Upstream of the NNPC Ltd, Udy Ntia, observed that the milestone goes beyond the 355,000 bpd figure.
“In a sector where shortcuts can yield short-term wins, but long-term
damage, NEPL is making a different point, that sustainable progress must rest on responsible operations.
“This ensures that scaling production does not compromise worker safety, community wellbeing, or environmental
protection. It reinforces a shift away from extraction at any cost towards
sustainable value creation—a core requirement for any modern energy
company seeking global relevance,” Ntia said.
The MD of NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, also noted that the company’s record-setting
performance mirrors the broader transformation unfolding across NNPC
Limited.
“This is a story shaped by leadership that charts a clear course; by partnerships built on alignment and accountability; and by a workforce whose hard work is turning goals into measurable progress.
“Our people, our processes, and principles are the real engines behind this success. We are building for tomorrow, not just celebrating today,” Foucart noted.
He added: “For Nigerians, this accomplishment means far more than
increased barrels; it translates into greater national revenue, stronger
energy security, and a more resilient economic foundation. NEPL has not
only produced more hydrocarbons; it has reignited belief in what Nigeria’s
energy sector can achieve with the right systems, culture, and dedication.”
NNPC E&P Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited involved in the exploration and
production of oil and gas resources.
