Nigeria’s average daily crude oil production declined by 64,000 barrels per day or 4.4 per cent to 1.401 million barrels per day in April 2025 from 1.465 million barrels per day recorded in the preceding month (March).
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) April Monthly Oil Market Report revealed this, saying the numbers are based on direct communication from the producing countries.
The report also indicated that oil production fell by 6.6 per cent below OPEC’s 1.5 million barrels per day quota, and approximately 32 per cent belief of the country’s 2025 budget target of 2.06 million barrels per day.
Nigeria’s persistent shortfalls in meeting government production targets comes from challenges such as underinvestment and rampant oil theft, all contributing to suppressed output.
Nigeria’s oil production peaked at 2.5 million barrels decades ago and despite ambitious 3-4 million barrels promises by subsequent governments, the highest actualisation in recent times have been 1.8 million barrels per day.
The decline in oil production since then and the falling oil prices in the international market are likely to strain fiscal revenues, worsening budgetary pressures
Market analysts have pointed out that this will impact national reserves, thereby reducing the availability of resources for developmental spending.
While the government has no control over global oil prices, it can, to some extent, meet its OPEC production quota.
Therefore, the government must intensify efforts by enforcing stricter penalties for oil theft, while fostering greater collaboration with local communities.
Simultaneously, there is a need to attract investment in the sector by ensuring that regulatory bodies and the judiciary work together to provide an enabling environment for investment and modernisation of oil infrastructure.