Yes, Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has stated that Nigeria’s oil output has surpassed 1.8 million barrels per day.
Here are the key points from his statements and related reports:
- Production Increase: Ojulari announced that crude oil output has climbed from about 1.4 million barrels per day at the end of 2023 to over 1.8 million barrels per day by July 2025.1 This represents an increase of 400,000 barrels in just seven months.2
- Cause of Increase: He attributed this significant achievement to several factors, including:
- Improved Security: A renewed security architecture and community engagement framework have drastically reduced oil theft and pipeline vandalism.3
- Full Pipeline Availability: For the first time in two decades, Nigeria has achieved 100% pipeline availability, which is critical for crude oil evacuation.4
- Collaboration: Strengthened partnerships with host communities and security agencies have been key to the success.5
- Future Targets: Ojulari has set ambitious goals for the future.6 The NNPCL aims to:
- Lift oil production to 2 million barrels per day by 2027.7
- Increase production to 3 million barrels per day by 2030.8
- Attract significant new investment to the energy sector, with targets of $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030.9
- Broader Reforms: This achievement is part of a broader reform agenda under Ojulari’s leadership, which also includes improving transparency, reviving domestic refineries, and positioning gas as a critical “bridge fuel” for Nigeria’s energy transition.10
Ojulari, a seasoned engineer with extensive experience at Shell, was appointed GCEO of the NNPCL in April 2025 by President Bola Tinubu.11 His appointment is seen as part of the government’s efforts to reform the state oil company and boost Nigeria’s oil production and revenue.12
