Nigeria is preparing to boost its crude oil production by an additional 100,000 barrels per day in the next few months, as reforms in the energy sector begin to take shape.

The projection was shared by Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the group chief executive officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, who expressed confidence that ongoing changes in the industry will support higher output levels.

According to him, Nigeria produced between 1.6 million and 1.7 million barrels per day on average last year. The country is now aiming to raise that figure to about 1.8 million barrels per day within the year.

Speaking during the CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston, Ojulari noted that while Nigeria may not match the production strength of Saudi Arabia, it still has the capacity to contribute meaningfully to global supply especially at a time when geopolitical tensions are affecting oil output in some regions.

He explained that the national oil company carried out a comprehensive review of its operations last year and has now moved into the implementation phase. The focus, he said, is on improving efficiency, ensuring projects are completed on schedule, and avoiding past issues of delays and budget overruns.

The planned production increase is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s role in the global oil market while also supporting government revenue in the near term.