By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has highlighted a steady improvement in crude oil and gas production under the leadership of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, saying crude output increased by about six per cent while gas production rose by five per cent within one year.
The company also clarified that the recently concluded oil licensing round cannot be attributed to the performance of NNPCL or its leadership, stressing that the allocation of oil blocks is the statutory responsibility of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, August 8, 2026, by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, NNPCL said publicly available data showed a sustained improvement in national crude oil production since the current leadership assumed office.
According to the company, average crude oil production stood at 1.60 million barrels per day (mbpd), including condensates, in April 2025.
By April 2026, production had increased to 1.67mbpd, representing an increase of approximately 80,000 barrels per day, or six per cent.
The company said the figures were contained in its publicly available Monthly Performance Reports.
NNPCL said the company also recorded positive movement in gas production during the period under review.
It explained that average gas production stood at 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) in April 2025.
By April 2026, the figure had risen to 7,729mmscfd, representing an increase of 375mmscfd, equivalent to about five per cent growth.
The company said the increase reflected expanding gas production in support of Nigeria’s domestic energy requirements and export commitments.
Addressing recent criticism attributed to the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF) over the performance of the NNPCL leadership in relation to the recently concluded oil licensing round, the company said such responsibility does not fall within its statutory mandate.
NNPCL explained that, under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the conduct of oil licensing rounds and allocation of oil blocks fall squarely within the statutory mandate of the NUPRC.
The company therefore urged industry commentators, analysts and professional associations to distinguish between NNPCL’s commercial responsibilities and the regulatory functions of NUPRC when assessing its performance.
According to the statement, NNPCL has operated strictly as a commercial entity since its incorporation and does not possess regulatory or allocative powers.
The company said the distinction was necessary to ensure that public debate about the petroleum industry remained factual and properly grounded in the provisions of the PIA.
NNPCL said its production figures demonstrated measurable progress in its transformation into a fully commercial and globally competitive energy company.
It maintained that crude oil production had increased by 80,000 barrels per day, while gas production expanded by 375mmscfd between April 2025 and April 2026.
The company reiterated its commitment to transparency and open engagement on its operations and performance.
It, however, warned that it reserved the right to take necessary steps to protect the reputation of the company and its leadership against the publication of what it described as false or unsubstantiated claims.
NNPCL further encouraged industry stakeholders to verify information through appropriate regulatory and corporate channels before publication, saying accurate and balanced reporting would contribute to informed discourse on Nigeria’s energy sector.
