NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL), the flagship upstream subsidiary of NNPC Limited, recorded a landmark production milestone on December 1, 2025, achieving 355,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd)—its highest single-day output since 1989.
The achievement represents a significant moment for Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector, underscoring renewed momentum driven by operational discipline, efficiency, and institutional reform. It also reflects the broader transformation underway within NNPC Limited as it seeks to reposition Nigeria as a reliable and competitive energy producer.
Production data illustrates the scale of the turnaround. NEPL’s average daily output rose by 52 percent, climbing from 203,000 bpd in 2023 to 312,000 bpd in 2025. The record performance is not the result of short-term gains, but of a deliberate strategy focused on operational excellence, strengthened asset management, and structured field development.
Industry observers note that NEPL’s progress demonstrates that with the right leadership framework, institutional systems, and a committed workforce, Nigeria’s upstream sector can reverse years of underperformance and instability.
Beyond corporate success, the milestone carries national significance. Nigeria’s presidential production targets of 2 million bpd by 2027 and 3 million bpd by 2030 have long been viewed as ambitious. NEPL’s delivery provides tangible evidence that these goals are increasingly within reach.
Commenting on the development, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, described the achievement as proof that Nigeria’s energy revival is already underway.
“By demonstrating its capacity to exceed internal production benchmarks, NEPL has confirmed that the essential building blocks for scaling national output—equipment, processes, capabilities, and partnerships—are firmly in place. This achievement shows that commercial discipline can translate ambition into real, positive outcomes,” Ojulari said.
He added that the milestone sends a strong signal to domestic and international stakeholders, reinforcing confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to re-establish itself as a dependable energy supplier in the global market.
Also speaking, Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream, emphasized that the significance of the milestone extends beyond the headline figure of 355,000 bpd.
“In a sector where shortcuts can deliver short-term gains at long-term cost, NEPL is demonstrating that sustainable progress must be rooted in responsible operations. Scaling production should not compromise worker safety, community wellbeing, or environmental protection. This marks a shift away from extraction at any cost towards sustainable value creation—an essential requirement for any energy company seeking global relevance,” Ntia said.
Similarly, Nicolas Foucart, Managing Director of NEPL, noted that the company’s record-setting performance mirrors the wider transformation taking place across NNPC Limited.
“This achievement reflects leadership with a clear strategic direction, partnerships built on accountability, and a workforce whose dedication is converting goals into measurable progress. Our people, processes, and principles are the true engines behind this success. We are building for the future, not merely celebrating today,” Foucart stated.
Foucart added that the implications for Nigeria extend well beyond increased production volumes.
“For Nigerians, this milestone translates into enhanced national revenue, stronger energy security, and a more resilient economic foundation. NEPL has not only produced more hydrocarbons—it has reignited confidence in what Nigeria’s energy sector can achieve when supported by the right systems, culture, and commitment.”
NNPC Exploration & Production Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of NNPC Limited, responsible for the exploration and production of oil and gas resources across Nigeria’s upstream sector.
