The Federal Government has urged oil companies operating in Nigeria to strengthen collaboration and increase crude oil production to meet the country’s OPEC quota.

Speaking at the 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, revealed that Nigeria’s crude output averaged 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first quarter of 2025, falling short of the 1.8 million bpd quota set by OPEC.

“We have not been able to pump to our OPEC quota for years,” Ekpo stated, emphasizing the need for stronger partnerships within the industry to boost production.Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), echoed this sentiment, noting that “production growth hinges on optimising our existing resources and exploring new frontiers.”

He highlighted ongoing challenges such as oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which have long plagued Nigeria’s upstream oil sector and hampered output.Despite these challenges, recent government efforts to clamp down on oil theft and support increased production are yielding some progress.

The NUPRC also announced that ExxonMobil plans to invest up to $1.5 billion in deepwater oil and gas exploration offshore Nigeria, signaling confidence in the sector’s potential.

The call for increased output aligns with reports that OPEC+ producers are considering another 411,000-bpd production hike in July, following consecutive increases in May and June.