ABUJA, April 14 – Nigeria’s crude oil production increased to 1.38 million barrels per day (bpd) in March 2026, according to the latest monthly oil market report released by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The figure, based on direct communication with Nigerian authorities, represents a rise from 1.31 million bpd recorded in February, indicating a month-on-month increase of about 5.25%.
Data from secondary sources showed slightly higher output levels, placing Nigeria’s production at 1.46 million bpd in March, compared with 1.44 million bpd in the previous month.
The variation reflects differences in reporting methods typically used by OPEC, which combines official submissions with independent estimates. Despite the increase, Nigeria’s production remained below its assigned quota of 1.5 million bpd, falling short by approximately 117,000 bpd.
Nigeria retained its position as Africa’s largest oil producer during the period, ahead of Libya, which recorded output of 1.30 million bpd in March.
Across the wider group, OPEC reported that total crude oil production averaged 35.06 million bpd in March. This comes as output levels across the alliance continue to reflect broader market developments.
Separate data from Nigerian authorities showed higher production figures. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission reported output at 1.84 million bpd in early April, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited put production at 1.71 million bpd.
The differing figures highlight variations in data sources and reporting timelines as Nigeria continues efforts to increase oil output.
