Crude Oil: Nigeria can produce 1.9 million barrels per day, says NUPRC

By Onu Okorie

The Commission Chief Executive CCE Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC  Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan has revealed that Nigeria has the potential to produce 1.9 million barrels of crude oil per day having hit a peak production of 1.86mbpd in May.

She stated this during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service NRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji in Abuja on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

According to the NUPRC boss, “we are back to production. We are ramping up now, and we want to continue working.”We still recognise the constraints. Infrastructure and asset integrity are major constraints, but we will work on these. 

Even the human capacity in the industry, we say that because if we want to grow, we must also grow that capacity to meet the demands,” Eyesan said.

The CCE also disclosed that one of the key targets upon assuming office was the digitisation of NUPRC’s operations, a goal she said has largely been achieved. 

Eyesan who commended the NRS chairman for driving reforms that culminated in the enactment of the NRS Act, said that the process of transfer of revenue collection responsibilities had been seamless.

The CCE also highlighted the Commission’s efforts to creating an enabling environment for operators in the oil and gas industry. “We are here to enable them, enable their businesses, ensure that they survive, they succeed. And we want to grow the pie because when you grow the pie, everybody benefits,” she said.

In his response, the NRS chairman praised the Commission for its dynamism, professionalism and transparency. He pledged continued collaboration with the Commission, particularly on matters relating to the transfer of revenue collection functions under the new Act. Adedeji said, “It is in the interest of Nigeria that we work together to grow revenue for the country in a transparent manner for the good of Nigerians. So, there is no way we would do something to jeopardise the progress or sustainability of another agency.

“I collect revenue. I don’t generate revenue. Wherever revenue is, I work on it and keep an account for you. So, I’m helping you to collect your royalties.

“He promised that the NRS would continue to support the Commission in order to achieve their shared objective of increasing government revenues in a fair, transparent and sustainable manner.

The NUPRC and the NRS at the end agreed to deepened collaboration to promote transparency and accountability in the collection of oil and gas revenue.