LAGOS, Feb 11 – Nigeria’s crude oil production rose to 1.459 million barrels per day in January 2026, according to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ latest Monthly Oil Market Report released on Wednesday.
The increase represents a month on month gain of 37,000 barrels per day from December’s 1.422 million barrels per day, based on figures obtained through direct communication between OPEC and Nigerian authorities.
Despite the improvement, production remains below Nigeria’s OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day, leaving output roughly 50,000 barrels short of its assigned ceiling. The country has now recorded six consecutive months of production below its quota.
Secondary sources cited in the report estimated Nigeria’s January output slightly higher at 1.47 million barrels per day, reflecting the typical variations that arise from differing tracking methodologies used in OPEC reporting.
The latest figures reinforce Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest oil producer. Libya ranked second on the continent during the same period with output of about 1.37 million barrels per day.
While the gradual rise in output points to improving operational stability, structural challenges, infrastructure constraints and security issues continue to weigh on Nigeria’s ability to consistently meet its production targets.
The modest recovery signals incremental progress in the country’s oil sector, even as policymakers and industry stakeholders work to address long standing bottlenecks and maximise revenue potential.
