Nigeria remains Africa’s top crude oil producer, boosting output to 1.45 million barrels per day in March, OPEC reports.
Nigeria maintained its position as Africa’s largest crude oil producer in March 2026, raising output to 1.45 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the latest monthly report from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The figure represents a slight increase from 1.42 million bpd in December 2025, based on data obtained directly from Nigerian authorities. However, OPEC noted a 2.11% month-on-month decline, highlighting the persistent volatility in global oil markets.
Despite this dip, Nigeria stayed ahead of Libya, which produced 1.37 million bpd during the same period, reaffirming the country’s strategic role in Africa’s energy sector and the broader OPEC alliance.
OPEC compiles production data through direct submissions from member states and secondary sources, including independent energy intelligence platforms. According to secondary data, Nigeria’s January output was slightly higher at 1.47 million bpd, down 1.34% from December’s 1.49 million bpd.
The oil cartel also reported that total crude production among the Declaration of Cooperation group averaged 42.45 million bpd in January 2026, a decline of 439,000 bpd from the previous month.
Although Nigeria fell short of its 1.5 million bpd OPEC quota by roughly 50,000 bpd, domestic figures indicate potential for higher output. On February 10, Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, stated that Nigeria’s total oil production, including condensates, stood at 1.75 million bpd.
For Africa’s largest economy, sustaining higher oil output is vital not only for domestic fiscal stability but also to maintain its leadership position in global energy markets.