Nigeria’s May Oil Output Tops OPEC Quota, Reaches 15‑Month High
Nigeria’s crude oil output averaged 1.53 million barrels per day in May 2026, topping its OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels by 2 percent. Including condensates, total hydrocarbon production reached 1.7 million barrels per day—the highest level in 15 months, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The increase follows five months of steady growth, with crude production up 2.8 percent from April’s 1.48 million barrels per day.
The rise strengthens government revenue prospects and signals confidence in efforts to lift Nigeria’s oil capacity, which has been hampered by crude theft, pipeline vandalism and operational delays. Major contributions came from Bonny Terminal (293,870 bpd), Forcados (289,900 bpd) and Qua Iboe (173,360 bpd). NUPRC credited stable operations and completed turnaround maintenance for the gains.
However, oil‑rich communities in the Niger Delta continue to suffer severe oil and gas pollution as exploration expands, while remediation efforts remain slow. This contrast highlights the tension between boosting output and addressing environmental harm.
With oil income rising, will the government accelerate cleanup in the Niger Delta, or prioritize further production growth?