Nigeria’s crude oil manufacturing rose to 1.459 million barrels per day (bpd) in January 2026, reinforcing its place as Africa’s largest oil producer regardless of falling in need of its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting International locations (OPEC) quota.
The figures have been disclosed in OPEC’s newest Month-to-month Oil Market Report (MOMR) launched on Wednesday.
The most recent knowledge highlights modest month-on-month progress in output however underscores Nigeria’s continued battle to satisfy its assigned manufacturing ceiling.
The rise indicators gradual restoration in output ranges, at the same time as structural and operational challenges persist within the oil sector.
Whereas Nigeria retained its high rating on the continent, it has now recorded six consecutive months beneath its OPEC quota.
What the information is saying
Nigeria’s crude oil manufacturing rose from 1.422 million bpd in December 2025 to 1.459 million bpd in January 2026, reflecting a month-on-month enhance of 37,000 bpd. The info was sourced by means of direct communication between OPEC and Nigerian authorities.
- Nigeria’s January output stood at 1.459 million bpd, up by 37,000 bpd from December’s 1.422 million bpd.
- The nation’s OPEC manufacturing quota stays 1.5 million bpd, leaving January output about 50,000 bpd beneath goal.
- Secondary sources cited by OPEC positioned Nigeria’s manufacturing barely greater at 1.47 million bpd.
Libya ranked second in Africa with 1.37 million bpd throughout the identical interval.
The variance between direct communication figures and secondary supply estimates displays variations in monitoring methodologies generally noticed in OPEC reporting.
Rise up to hurry
Nigeria has struggled to persistently meet its OPEC manufacturing quota over the previous yr because of a mixture of safety and infrastructure challenges.
- Oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and years of underinvestment in upstream infrastructure have constrained manufacturing capability.
- Nigeria has now missed its 1.5 million bpd quota for six consecutive months – the final time being July 2025.
- Persistent oil theft and sabotage within the Niger Delta have disrupted output ranges.
- Underinvestment in upstream belongings has restricted the nation’s potential to scale manufacturing rapidly.
- Operational disruptions and upkeep points have additional weighed on efficiency.
Though output has proven gradual enchancment in current months, business observers keep that structural reforms and enhanced safety measures are important to sustaining progress and shutting the quota hole.
Extra Insights
Past Nigeria, OPEC reported that complete crude oil manufacturing by Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) international locations averaged 42.45 million bpd in January 2026, in line with secondary sources. This marked a month-on-month decline of 439,000 bpd.
- Complete DoC crude manufacturing stood at 42.45 million bpd in January.
- Output declined by 439,000 bpd in comparison with December ranges.
- The manufacturing adjustment aligns with OPEC’s broader market stabilisation technique.
The broader discount displays ongoing manufacturing administration efforts by oil-producing nations geared toward balancing international provide amid fluctuating demand and macroeconomic uncertainties.
What you must know
Oil manufacturing stays central to Nigeria’s financial stability, as crude exports account for the majority of international alternate earnings and a big share of presidency income. Improved output ranges are anticipated to assist fiscal efficiency, ease strain on exterior reserves, and support funds implementation.
- Crude oil exports stay Nigeria’s main supply of international alternate inflows.
- Authorities income efficiency is intently tied to manufacturing volumes and international oil costs.
- Sustained output progress may strengthen exterior reserves and scale back fiscal pressure.
The Federal Authorities adopted a 2.6 million bpd oil manufacturing benchmark for 2026, however will use a extra conservative 1.8 million bpd for budgeting.
