Nigeria’s crude oil production could rise to 1.9 million barrels per day in the near term following recent improvements in output, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has said.

The Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, at the NRS headquarters in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications of the NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, on Wednesday.

Eyesan said the country’s oil industry had continued to record production growth, noting that crude output reached a peak of 1.86 million barrels per day in May, placing the industry on a stronger recovery path.




The meeting also focused on strengthening collaboration between the two agencies to promote transparency, accountability and efficiency in the collection of oil and gas revenues.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Nigeria Revenue Service have deepened their collaboration to promote transparency and accountability in the collection of oil and gas revenue.

“This was the resolution after a meeting between the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and the Chairman of the NRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, at the NRS headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.”


Speaking during the engagement, Eyesan commended the leadership of the Nigeria Revenue Service for reforms that culminated in the enactment of the NRS Act and described the transition of revenue collection responsibilities as smooth.

Eyesan said the process had been seamless. The CCE also highlighted the Commission’s efforts in 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 and succeed. And we want to grow the pie because when you grow the pie, everybody benefits,” she said.

Eyesan disclosed that recent gains in crude production demonstrate that industry reforms and collaborative efforts by stakeholders are beginning to yield positive results.

She further revealed that Nigeria has the potential to produce 1.9 million barrels per day, having hit a peak production of 1.86 million barrels per day in May.

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“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 human capacity in the industry—we see that because 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.


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 related 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 transparency 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 achieving its shared objective of increasing government revenues in a fair, transparent and sustainable manner.

The meeting comes amid ongoing implementation of Executive Order 9 and the provisions of the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, which expanded the role of the NRS in the assessment, collection and accounting of federally collectable revenues.

Under the new framework, the NRS is responsible for collecting revenues on behalf of the Federal Government, including royalties and other petroleum-related revenues generated by regulatory agencies such as the NUPRC.

The transition has required closer collaboration between revenue-generating agencies and the NRS to ensure seamless remittance, accountability and transparency in government earnings from the oil and gas sector.

Nigeria’s oil industry has faced persistent challenges in recent years, including crude theft, pipeline vandalism, ageing infrastructure and underinvestment, all of which have constrained production levels and reduced government earnings.

However, recent improvements in security around key oil assets, renewed investment commitments and regulatory reforms have contributed to a gradual recovery in production, raising expectations that the country may move closer to its long-standing target of producing around two million barrels of crude oil per day.