Nigeria’s upstream sector received a major boost as NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL), the upstream arm of NNPC Limited, hit a record crude oil production level of 355,000 barrels per day on December 1, 2025 — the company’s highest single-day output since 1989.
The state-owned firm disclosed that the milestone is the result of a sweeping operational transformation focused on efficiency, discipline, and improved asset management. According to production data, NEPL’s average daily output has climbed by 52 percent, rising from 203,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 312,000 barrels per day in 2025.
The company said the achievement demonstrates that Nigeria’s long-term goals of producing 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million barrels per day by 2030 are becoming increasingly attainable.
Reacting to the development, the Group CEO of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the breakthrough as clear evidence that “Nigeria’s energy revival is not a dream; it is already happening.”
“By showing its ability to exceed its own production benchmarks, NEPL confirms that the essential building blocks for scaling national output are being firmly established,” Ojulari said. He added that the progress sends a strong signal to partners and investors that Nigeria is committed to its role as a reliable energy supplier.
The Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, said the significance of the milestone goes beyond the 355,000 barrels per day figure. According to him, NEPL is proving that sustainable growth must be based on responsible operations that protect workers, communities, and the environment.
“In a sector where shortcuts can yield short-term wins but long-term damage, NEPL is making a different point: sustainable progress must rest on responsible operations,” Ntia noted.
NEPL’s Managing Director, Nicolas Foucart, said the company’s performance reflects the wider reform underway across NNPC Limited. He described the success as the product of clear leadership, aligned partnerships and a dedicated workforce.
“Our people, our processes, and our principles are the real engines behind this success. We are building for tomorrow, not just celebrating today,” Foucart said. He added that the gains translate into increased national revenue, stronger energy security and a more resilient economic base for Nigeria.
NEPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of NNPC Limited engaged in the exploration and production of Nigeria’s oil and gas resources.
