Nigeria’s crude oil production declined to 1.39 million barrels per day (bpd) in September 2025, according to newly released data from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The figure, published in OPEC’s October Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) on Monday, shows a reduction of about 45,000 barrels per day compared to the 1.434 million bpd recorded in August 2025.
The report, which cited direct communication with Nigerian authorities, indicates that the September figures represent Nigeria’s lowest crude output in nine months, falling below OPEC’s production quota of roughly 1.5 million bpd.
PENGASSAN Strike Disrupts Output
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also confirmed the drop, noting that combined crude and condensate production averaged 1.581 million bpd during the period.
According to the Commission, the breakdown includes 1.39 million bpd of crude oil and 191,373 bpd of condensates.
The sharp decline was largely attributed to a three-day strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which disrupted operations at several production and export terminals.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bayo Ojulari, in a letter dated September 29, 2025, informed regulators that the industrial action caused “significant production deferments” and led to missed crude liftings and reduced gas sales.
Revenue Implications
Oil remains Nigeria’s largest export earner, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange revenues. The latest production drop could therefore impact fiscal projections and revenue inflows for the fourth quarter of 2025.
With the continued push for stability in output, industry stakeholders are calling for improved operational efficiency, better labour relations, and enhanced security of oil infrastructure to prevent future disruptions.
