PORT HARCOURT — Coordinated pipeline security measures, community engagement and infrastructure stability pushed Nigeria’s crude oil production above its OPEC quota in May, according to industry data and stakeholders.
Figures released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on June 11 showed crude production averaged 1.53 million barrels per day, exceeding the country’s OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day for the first time in 2026. Total output rose by 2.2 per cent to about 1.70 million barrels per day, up from 1.66 million barrels per day in April.
Industry operators attributed the increase largely to improved operations along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), where Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) intensified surveillance, maintenance and stakeholder coordination to curb crude oil theft and vandalism.
At a stakeholders’ engagement in Port Harcourt involving host communities from Rivers, Imo and Abia states, officials said sustained monitoring of pipeline infrastructure and rapid response to threats had reduced disruptions to crude evacuation.
The General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations at PINL, Akpos Mezeh, said stronger collaboration between security agencies, host communities and operators had stabilised the corridor.
“The Trans Niger Pipeline continues to record remarkable operational stability,” he said, linking the gains to improved protection of assets and uninterrupted crude flow.
Community leaders also pointed to increased local participation in safeguarding oil facilities, including timely reporting of suspicious activities and support for surveillance operations.
The Chairman of the South South Monarchs Forum, Eze Sergeant Awuse, called for continued backing from security agencies to sustain the progress.
“This is the time the National Security Adviser and the relevant agencies should give you more support, because if our oil production goes down, it will affect every act of governance,” he said.
The King of Eleme Kingdom, Philip Osaro, said engagement programmes had reduced youth restiveness, enabling smoother operations across host communities.
An official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Akponime Omojewvhe, said early intelligence from communities remained critical to preventing pipeline breaches and ensuring continuous production.
Stakeholders said the combined effect of improved surveillance, infrastructure reliability and community cooperation has strengthened crude evacuation and supported higher national output.
