Nigeria’s crude oil production rose to 1.38 million barrels per day in March, up from 1.31 million barrels per day in February, according to the latest monthly report from OPEC.

Despite the increase, output remained below the country’s official OPEC production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day, leaving Nigeria short of its target by around 120,000 barrels per day.

The modest recovery highlights ongoing fluctuations in Nigeria’s oil sector, which continues to be affected by operational constraints, pipeline disruptions, and broader challenges linked to investment and infrastructure.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, relies heavily on crude exports for government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. As such, production levels remain a key indicator of the country’s fiscal performance and external stability.

Analysts note that while the March increase signals some improvement in output capacity, sustained production growth will depend on addressing structural issues in the sector, including security in oil-producing regions and efficiency in export infrastructure.

The country has repeatedly struggled to consistently meet its OPEC production quota in recent years, despite holding significant proven reserves.

Overall, the latest figures point to a gradual recovery trend, but one that still falls short of official targets and market expectations.