Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector is recording one of its most convincing turnarounds in decades, as NNPCL & Production Limited (NEPL) posts its highest daily oil production in 36 years, a milestone that underscores the growing impact of commercial discipline under the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Limited.
On December 1, 2025, NEPL achieved a peak production of 355,000 barrels of oil per day, its strongest performance since 1989. The figure marks a defining moment in NNPC Limited’s ongoing transformation under its Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Ojulari, and signals that long-promised reforms in Nigeria’s upstream sector are beginning to translate into measurable outcomes.
Far from being a statistical spike, the milestone reflects a deeper shift in strategy, execution, and mindset across Nigeria’s national oil company.
NEPL’s Production Surge Signals Structural Turnaround
Data from NEPL shows that average daily production climbed by 52 per cent over two years, rising from 203,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 312,000 barrels per day in 2025, before culminating in the 355,000 bpd record. In an industry long plagued by underperformance, shut-in volumes, and operational inefficiencies, the growth trajectory stands out as deliberate and sustained.
For years, Nigeria has held Africa’s largest crude oil reserves, yet actual production often lagged far behind capacity. This disconnect eroded revenues, weakened investor confidence, and constrained national energy security. Against that backdrop, NEPL’s performance suggests that structural bottlenecks in the upstream segment are finally easing.
The results also lend weight to Nigeria’s broader production ambitions. Presidential targets of 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million barrels per day by 2030 have historically been met with scepticism. NEPL’s delivery, however, demonstrates that meaningful production gains are achievable within existing asset portfolios when operational focus and accountability align.
Ojulari’s Commercial Mandate Redefines NNPCL’s Directio
Commenting on the milestone, Ojulari described NEPL’s achievement as proof that Nigeria’s energy revival is no longer theoretical.
“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,” he said.
“The machinery of production equipment, processes, capabilities, and partnerships can be driven with commercial discipline to produce real and positive outcomes.”
Under this framework, NNPCL subsidiaries are being repositioned to prioritise asset integrity, cost discipline, structured field development, and stronger technical and commercial partnerships areas that have historically undermined performance in the sector.
Sustainability, People and Investor Confidence Take Centre Stage
According to the Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, NEPL’s record performance is as much about how production is achieved as it is about volume.
“Sustainable progress must rest on responsible operations,” Ntia said. “Scaling production cannot come at the expense of worker safety, host communities, or environmental protection.”
This approach reflects a broader shift within NNPC Limited toward responsible energy development, aligning upstream growth with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) expectations. By embedding sustainability into its production strategy, NEPL is positioning itself as a modern upstream operator rather than a short-term volume-driven producer.
For NEPL Managing Director, Nicolas Foucart, the milestone is rooted in leadership alignment and internal culture change.
“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,” Foucart said. “Our people, our processes, and our principles are the real engines behind this success.”
Beyond domestic implications, the achievement sends a strong signal to international investors who have grown cautious amid regulatory uncertainty and capital flight. Sustained production growth under a reformed corporate structure reinforces confidence that Nigeria is serious about restoring its competitiveness in global energy markets.
For Nigerians, the benefits extend beyond barrels and balance sheets. Higher output supports national revenue, foreign exchange inflows, and fiscal stability, while strengthening energy security at a time when economic resilience is increasingly tied to domestic production capacity.
While challenges remain from infrastructure constraints to security risks NEPL’s 36-year production high offers compelling evidence that Nigeria’s upstream sector is on a recovery path. More importantly, it confirms that under Ojulari’s commercial mandate, Nigeria’s energy revival is no longer a promise, but a process already in motion.