Nigeria’s crude oil production fell to 1.31 million barrels per day (bpd) in February 2026, according to the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

This figure represents a 10.69 percent decline from the 1.45 million bpd recorded in January. The drop comes amid ongoing operational challenges and geopolitical tensions affecting global oil markets.

OPEC’s monthly report, released on Wednesday, noted that the figures were derived from direct communication with Nigerian authorities, highlighting the country’s reporting channel to the cartel.

The latest data indicate that Nigeria missed its OPEC production quota of 1.5 million bpd, falling short by roughly 190,000 bpd.

Production Data and African Leadership

The decline in output underscores ongoing disruptions in Nigeria’s oil sector. Direct communication with Nigerian authorities confirmed a February output of 1.31 million bpd. According to secondary sources, Nigeria’s crude production stood slightly higher at 1.46 million bpd, down 0.68 percent from January’s 1.47 million bpd.

Despite the shortfall, Nigeria maintained its position as Africa’s leading oil producer, surpassing Libya, which produced 1.28 million bpd. OPEC’s data show that total crude oil production from member countries averaged 42.72 million bpd in February, up 445,000 bpd month-on-month.

The figures highlight both Nigeria’s leadership in African oil production and the challenges in meeting OPEC quotas amid fluctuating market conditions.

Historical Production Challenges

Nigeria’s oil output has long been influenced by infrastructural limitations, security challenges in the Niger Delta, and maintenance shutdowns at key oil fields. Over the past decade, these factors have caused fluctuations in production levels, occasionally causing the country to fall short of OPEC-assigned quotas.

In 2025, pipeline vandalism and crude theft contributed to production dips, affecting revenue generation. The government has made repeated efforts to boost output through investments in infrastructure and incentives for foreign oil companies.

Historically, Nigeria’s crude output has ranged between 1.3 million and 1.7 million bpd, reflecting both operational constraints and OPEC quota adjustments. These challenges have consistently prevented Nigeria from fully capitalizing on global price surges.

Impact of Geopolitical Tensions

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have amplified the impact of production shortfalls. On March 2, OPEC and its allies agreed to raise oil production by 206,000 bpd starting in April to stabilize global markets.

Crude prices spiked above $100 per barrel on March 9 amid conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, before retreating to $87 per barrel the following day. The combination of supply constraints in Nigeria and broader market volatility presents a complex scenario for the nation's oil revenue.