By Ayomide Otitoju
Nigeria’s crude oil production climbed in July 2025, averaging 1.71 million barrels of oil per day (bopd), according to new data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The output comprised 1.507 million bopd of crude oil and 204,864 bopd of condensates, reflecting a 9.9 per cent increase compared to the 1.56 million bopd recorded in July 2024. On a month-on-month basis, production was up 0.89 per cent from 1.69 million bopd in June 2025.
Terminal performance data showed mixed results across the country’s oil export hubs. Forcados led production with 9.04 million barrels in July, up 2.1 per cent from June, while Bonny posted a sharp 12.7 per cent increase to 8.07 million barrels. Output at Qua Iboe dipped slightly to 4.55 million barrels from 5.08 million the previous month, while Escravos rose 7.1 per cent to 4.47 million barrels. Bonga increased by 4.2 per cent to 3.68 million barrels, Odudu (Amenam Blend) rose 2.9 per cent to 2.12 million barrels, and Tulja-Okwuibome gained 2.8 per cent to 2.08 million barrels. Brass terminal recorded the strongest growth, surging 27 per cent to 1.12 million barrels.
Despite the improvement, production levels remain below the federal government’s 2025 budget target of 2.06 million bopd, set against a benchmark oil price of $75 per barrel. Crude theft and vandalism in oil-producing regions, particularly the Niger Delta, continue to weigh on output.
Speaking at the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja on Monday, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, said international and continental cartels exploit security loopholes to steal crude from Nigeria.
“Crude theft and its attendant illegal activities are by no means a purely localised occurrence; rather, these operations involve specialised international syndicates that take advantage of gaps within the state, national and continental security architecture,” Ojulari said.
He, however, noted that concerted efforts by security agencies have significantly curbed oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, improving crude receipts at terminals.
“The dilapidating impact of crude theft, low pipeline availability and attacks are issues that have become stories of the past for us. Today, I can proudly report that our pipelines and terminals’ receipt of crude oil, which was once as low as 20 to 30 per cent, is now attaining close to 100 per cent due to the support of the security forces and intelligence agencies,” Ojulari stated.
