NNPC Limited has recorded a 6 per cent rise in crude oil production, climbing to 1.67 million barrels per day (mbpd) inclusive of condensate as of April 2026, from 1.60mbpd in April 2025, the company has said.

The national oil company disclosed this in a statement Saturday, signed by Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, while responding to recent commentary credited to the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF), which questioned the performance of NNPC’s leadership under Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, in connection with the recently concluded oil licensing round conducted by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

According to the company, the roughly 80,000 barrels per day increase in crude output was documented in its Monthly Performance Report, which is publicly available. 

Output rose steadily through the second half of 2025 before stabilising at the April 2026 figure, NNPC said.

Gas production also grew over the same period, rising from 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) in April 2025 to 7,729mmscfd by April 2026, representing a 5 per cent increase. NNPC described the growth as an “indicator of expanding gas output in support of Nigeria’s domestic energy security and export commitments.”

On the licensing round, NNPC clarified that under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the conduct of oil licensing rounds and allocation of oil blocks fall squarely within the statutory mandate of NUPRC. The company said it has operated strictly as a commercial entity since its incorporation and holds no regulatory or allocative authority.

The NNPCL’s spokesman said the company welcomes scrutiny of its operations but insisted on the need to set the record straight.

“While NNPC Limited welcomes scrutiny of its operations and performance, consistent with the transparency and accountability the Company holds itself to, it is important to set the record straight,” Odeh said.

He added that the company reserves the right to take necessary steps to protect its reputation and that of its leadership against the publication of false or unsubstantiated claims.

He urged industry commentators, analysts, and professional associations to verify information through appropriate regulatory and corporate channels before publication, saying this would ensure public commentary remains factual and balanced.