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LAGOS – Nigeria’s crude oil production for April 2025 has become a point of discussion, with differing figures emerging from OPEC and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). This variance in reported Nigeria oil output for April 2025 arises as global oil prices pose challenges to the nation’s budget.
According to OPEC’s May Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR), data from direct communication indicated a drop in the country’s combined crude oil and condensate output to 1.486 million barrels per day (bpd) in April. This was a decrease from March’s 1.401 million bpd. Interestingly, OPEC’s secondary sources painted a slightly different picture, pegging April’s output at 1.471 million bpd.
NUPRC Data Shows Output Surge, Nearing OPEC Quota
However, the NUPRC presented more optimistic figures for Nigeria oil output for April 2025, suggesting a notable increase in production. “The daily average production in April was 1,683,307 barrels per day, comprising of both crude oil (1,485,700 bopd) and condensate (197,607 bopd),” the commission officially stated. NUPRC highlighted that this meant average crude oil production reached 99% of Nigeria’s 1.5 million bpd OPEC quota.
The commission further reported a 5% rise in total output compared to March’s 1.603 million bpd. “Lowest and Peak Combined crude oil and Condensate Production in April were 1.60 million bopd and 1.73 million bopd respectively,” the NUPRC elaborated.
Oil Price Dip Creates Budgetary Headwinds
These divergent production reports surface at a time when crude oil prices, including Nigeria’s Bonny Light benchmark, are hovering around $66 per barrel. This figure sits $9 below the $75 per barrel reference price set in Nigeria’s 2025 national budget. Given that the federal government’s N54.99 trillion budget is based on an ambitious 2.06 million bpd production target and an exchange rate of N1,500/$, this price shortfall could create significant fiscal pressure.
On a more positive note for the sector, Nigeria celebrated the first international shipment of its new Obodo crude blend. Gbenga Komolafe, the CEO of NUPRC, hailed this development. He described it as a “major achievement for Nigeria’s upstream sector,” one that “underscores the growing influence of local operators in the global oil market.” This news offers a bright spot amidst the Nigeria oil output for April 2025 discussions.
By Abdullah Korede
