Nigeria recorded a major increase in crude oil production in April 2026, achieving 99.2 percent of its 1.5 million barrels per day production quota approved by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Latest production figures released by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission showed that the country’s crude oil output rose by 7.58 percent compared with production levels recorded in March 2026.
According to the commission, peak crude oil production in April reached 1.85 million barrels per day, while the lowest production figure for the month stood at 1.46 million barrels per day.
The improved output reflects ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to raise production levels, curb crude oil theft and protect critical infrastructure across producing communities.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited also reported improved performance in the sector, posting about N276 billion profit after tax in March 2026 amid rising oil production and increased gas output.
Reacting to the development, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited attributed the increase in output to enhanced protection of oil and gas assets as well as stronger collaboration among stakeholders in host communities.
Speaking during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting with representatives from Imo, Abia and Rivers states in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations of PINL, Akpos Mezeh, said the production increase demonstrated the impact of stability and cooperation along pipeline corridors.
“These figures are not ordinary statistics. They are direct evidence that stability, cooperation, and effective protection of pipeline infrastructure produce measurable economic benefits for our nation and our people,” he said.
Mezeh stated that host communities, surveillance teams, traditional rulers and security agencies had played significant roles in safeguarding the Trans Niger Pipeline and Eastern Gas Network facilities.
He added that incidents of pipeline vandalism had reduced considerably, while intelligence gathering and stakeholder engagement had continued to improve across operational areas.
According to him, no infraction was recorded on the Trans Niger Pipeline within the last one month, describing the development as evidence of improved synergy among stakeholders.
Nigeria has for years struggled to meet its OPEC production quota due to crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and operational challenges in the Niger Delta. However, recent security measures, pipeline surveillance contracts and renewed stakeholder engagement have contributed to gradual improvements in output levels.
Mezeh reiterated PINL’s commitment to sustaining community engagement and social investment programmes aimed at improving livelihoods in host communities.
The PINL official also called for continued support and unity among stakeholders to sustain the gains recorded in the sector and further improve Nigeria’s oil production capacity.
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Emohua Kingdom in Rivers State, Eze Sergeant Awuse, expressed satisfaction with the company’s operations and acknowledged its contribution to Nigeria’s revenue generation.
“I’m satisfied with what PINL is doing to help this country. Your company has in very significant way made it possible for more oil to flow with less vandalisation,” he said.
Also speaking, the King of Eleme Kingdom, Philip Obele, commended the company for helping restore stability in the oil sector and improving the country’s gains from oil production.
He noted that pipeline vandalism had become a thing of the past in his kingdom due to the surveillance activities carried out by PINL.
