NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL), the upstream subsidiary of NNPC Limited, has achieved a landmark crude oil production figure of 355,000 barrels per day (bpd) — the company’s highest output since 1989 and a significant boost for Nigeria’s efforts to stabilise and expand its petroleum industry.
In a statement announcing the development, NNPC Limited described the milestone, recorded on December 1, 2025, as clear evidence that ongoing reforms across the corporation’s upstream operations are beginning to yield measurable results. The company noted that NEPL’s average daily production climbed from 203,000 bpd in 2023 to 312,000 bpd in 2025, representing a 52 percent rise driven by operational efficiency, improved asset management, and strengthened partnerships.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, said the achievement reflects a broader shift towards disciplined, commercially driven performance across the national energy company. “This milestone shows that the turnaround of Nigeria’s upstream sector is no longer an aspiration — it is already happening,” he said. “Our processes, partnerships and technical capabilities are now aligned to deliver consistent, world-class results.”
NNPC added that the record output enhances Nigeria’s standing as a reliable energy supplier, especially at a time when global markets are seeking stable crude sources. Ojulari noted that exceeding internal production benchmarks boosts investor confidence, remarking that the achievement “reinforces trust both nationally and internationally.”
Executive Vice President for Upstream at NNPC, Udy Ntia, stressed that the company’s focus is not only on volume but on responsible and sustainable operations. He said NEPL places strong emphasis on safety, community development and environmental stewardship, adding that “our ambition to grow production is matched by an equal commitment to operate with integrity and responsibility.”
Managing Director of NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, credited the workforce and the company’s cultural transformation for the breakthrough. “Our people, our processes and our principles are the real engines behind this success,” he said. Foucart added that the achievement strengthens Nigeria’s economic outlook by expanding government revenues and contributing to national energy security.
NNPC stated that NEPL’s performance brings Nigeria closer to its medium-term targets of reaching two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030. Industry observers say the milestone could help revive investor optimism, provided that operational discipline, transparency and environmental safeguards remain central to the company’s strategy.
