OPEC has reported that Nigeria’s crude oil production fell by about 10 percent to 1.31 million barrels per day (BPD) in February, marking a significant decline from the previous month.
Gatekeepers News reports that the figures were contained in OPEC’s March 2026 Monthly Oil Market Report, which showed that the country recorded a noticeable decline in output compared with January.
The report indicated that Nigeria’s production dropped from about 1.46 million bpd in January to 1.31 million bpd in February, reflecting ongoing challenges affecting the country’s oil sector.
Despite being Africa’s largest crude producer, Nigeria has continued to struggle to meet its production target under the OPEC+ quota system, which allows the country to produce around 1.5 million bpd.
Industry experts attribute the decline to persistent issues such as crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, operational disruptions, and aging infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.
Analysts also noted that Nigeria recorded one of the most significant output drops among OPEC members during the month, even though overall production across the cartel saw a slight increase.
The development has raised concerns among economic experts because oil exports remain Nigeria’s largest source of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
Stakeholders in the energy sector have repeatedly called for stronger security around oil facilities, improved infrastructure, and increased investment in the industry to enable the country to boost production and fully utilise its OPEC quota.
