NNPC: Nigeria Adds 600,000bpd to Crude Oil Production, Targets 2 Million by 2027

…Ojulari says reforms attract $20bn investment commitments, boost investor confidence

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) has announced that Nigeria’s crude oil production has increased by 600,000 barrels per day (bpd), rising from approximately 1.2 million bpd to 1.8 million bpd.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this on Tuesday during an Energy Talk titled, “Nigeria’s Reform Agenda: Competing for Energy Capital,” at the 2026 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Ojulari attributed the increase to reforms introduced in the oil and gas sector, particularly the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, improved investment conditions, strategic investment decisions and stronger collaboration between NNPC Limited and its industry partners.
He said the company was working towards achieving Nigeria’s 2 million barrels per day production target by 2027 through improved infrastructure maintenance, protection of existing production capacity, increased output from producing assets and the execution of new projects.
According to him, the current production level of 1.8 million bpd represents a milestone in the country’s journey towards higher output.
“The figure of 1.8 million barrels per day is a stage in a journey towards our objective. We are concentrating on the basics, which are maintaining our infrastructure, protecting base operations and executing the projects that will take production higher,” he said.
On domestic energy supply, the NNPC boss explained that the removal of petrol subsidy had been accompanied by an expanded Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme.
He disclosed that more than 400 CNG conversion centres had been established, while over 1,000 trucks involved in the transportation of petroleum products had been converted to run on CNG.
Ojulari also announced that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline was completed in August 2026, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline is expected to deliver gas to Abuja before the end of the year.
He said the gas infrastructure would support power generation, data centres and industrial development.
The GCEO further stated that NNPC Limited’s Board and management were committed to delivering on the mandate given to the company by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He noted that a comprehensive assessment of the company’s assets and infrastructure had enabled management to identify its strengths and areas requiring improvement.
“Our track record will be judged by what is done and not by what is said,” Ojulari stated.
On regional gas development, he revealed that countries involved in the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project had aligned and executed the necessary agreements.
He added that Nigeria, Algeria and Niger had also reached an understanding on the development of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline.
Ojulari said NNPC Limited was targeting national gas production of 10 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by 2027 and 12 Bcf/d by 2030, with increased attention to domestic consumption and export markets.
Speaking on investment opportunities, he identified major projects attracting international interest, including TotalEnergies’ Ubeta, Shell’s Bonga South-West and Eni’s Zabazaba developments.
He disclosed that commercial agreements covering approximately $20 billion in investments had been concluded, adding that NNPC was building new partnerships with organisations such as ADNOC and Chinese investors interested in Nigeria’s refineries.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transparency and effective project execution, citing its two consecutive earnings calls as part of efforts to strengthen accountability.
The 2026 ADIPEC, hosted by ADNOC under the patronage of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, attracted more than 239,000 participants from over 170 countries, including government officials, energy executives, investors and technology leaders.
The conference focused on energy security, investment opportunities and the future of global energy supply.