Nigeria has surpassed its crude oil production quota set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for the first time in 2026, with industry stakeholders attributing the achievement in part to improved operations along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) managed by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).

According to figures released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on June 11, the country’s oil output rose by 2.2 per cent in May, increasing from 1.66 million barrels per day in April to approximately 1.70 million barrels per day. Crude oil production averaged 1.53 million barrels per day during the month, exceeding Nigeria’s OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day for the first time this year.

The milestone featured prominently at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting organised by PINL in Port Harcourt, bringing together host communities from Rivers, Imo and Abia states. Traditional rulers at the meeting commended the company’s efforts in maintaining stability along the pipeline and called for increased institutional support to sustain the gains.

Speaking at the event, PINL’s General Manager for Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, attributed the improved production figures to enhanced operational stability on the TNP, stronger community involvement, and a collective commitment by government agencies, security operatives and host communities to combat crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

“The Trans Niger Pipeline continues to record remarkable operational stability,” Mezeh said, noting that improved infrastructure reliability was contributing to higher government revenues, strengthened energy security and increased investor confidence.

Chairman of the South-South Monarchs Forum and Nye Nweali of Emohua, Eze Sergeant Awuse, warned against efforts to undermine the progress recorded in oil-producing communities. He urged the National Security Adviser and relevant agencies to provide greater support for pipeline protection initiatives.

“Some people who are not patriotic enough will want to spoil your good works,” Awuse said. “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.”

Also speaking, the King of Eleme Kingdom, His Majesty Dr. Philip Obele Osaro, said PINL’s interventions had helped reduce youth restiveness in host communities. He added that increased funding for the company’s programmes would further expand empowerment opportunities for youths and women across the region.

Meanwhile, Engr. Akponime Omojewvhe, Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Project Monitoring Office, urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities around oil facilities. He stressed that timely intelligence remained critical to safeguarding the pipeline corridor and sustaining the country’s recent production gains.

Stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism that continued collaboration among communities, operators and security agencies would help maintain pipeline integrity and support Nigeria’s drive to increase crude oil production.