Nigeria’s crude oil output has rebounded to 1.84 million barrels per day (bpd), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) announced on Thursday.

The increase comes after production dipped to 1.31 million bpd in February, a decline attributed to maintenance activities and operational incidents at key facilities, according to NUPRC CEO Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan. “Those issues have been resolved, and production is steadily recovering,” she said during a visit to the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja.

The boost in output coincides with a sharp rise in global oil prices, with Brent crude climbing nearly 80 percent year-to-date, reaching $109.03 per barrel.

Eyesan also provided an update on the 2025 licensing round, noting that the commission is currently reviewing technical and financial submissions. She highlighted the potential for some of the newly offered acreages to begin production within a year, pointing out that indigenous oil companies are showing strong capabilities.

The NUPRC chief emphasized that the commission has fully implemented Executive Order 9 of 2026, which halts the 30 percent Frontier Exploration Fund (FEF) deduction from oil and gas profits, directing the funds instead to the federation account.

With regulatory measures such as the “drill or drop” provision in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) supporting efficient resource utilization, Eyesan expressed optimism for continued growth in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.