Nigeria has maintained its position as Africa’s largest crude oil producer after recording a fresh increase in daily output.
Gatekeepers News reports that the latest figures were contained in Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) monthly oil market report published on Wednesday.
The cartel said Nigeria’s crude oil production rose to 1.45 million barrels per day in January 2026, up from 1.42 million barrels per day recorded in December 2025.
The data, obtained through direct communication with Nigerian authorities, showed that although production improved, it still fell slightly below the country’s official OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day by about 50,000 barrels.
OPEC explained that it collects production figures from two main sources — direct reports submitted by member countries and secondary sources such as international energy monitoring agencies.
Based on information from secondary sources, Nigeria’s crude output was estimated at 1.47 million barrels per day in January, representing a small drop from the 1.49 million barrels per day recorded in the previous month.
Despite missing its production target, Nigeria remained the continent’s top oil producer, ahead of Libya, which recorded an average output of 1.37 million barrels per day during the same period.
The report also noted that total crude oil production by countries participating in the Declaration of Cooperation averaged 42.45 million barrels per day in January 2026, reflecting a month-on-month decline of 439,000 barrels per day.
Earlier this week, the minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed that Nigeria’s total oil production, including condensates, had reached 1.75 million barrels per day.
He added that the federal government is intensifying efforts to boost output further through investment, improved surveillance, and operational reforms within the oil sector.
The government has repeatedly expressed optimism that sustained reforms and collaboration with international partners will help Nigeria regain higher production levels and strengthen its position in the global oil market.
