Nigeria is preparing to seek a 25 per cent increase in its crude oil production quota from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) by 2027, citing growing domestic demand as justification.

Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Engr. Bashir Ojulari, said the country’s internal consumption dynamics have shifted significantly and now warrant a higher allocation within the OPEC framework.

“We believe that with the increased demand being created in-country, we are now in a better position to also seek from OPEC to increase our production quota,” Ojulari told Argus.

This comes as Nigeria’s production reached 1.505 million barrels per day in June 2025, according to OPEC’s latest Monthly Oil Market Report. The figure surpasses Nigeria’s assigned quota of 1.5mbpd and highlights a steady recovery in output levels.

Nigeria has consistently cited challenges such as underinvestment, pipeline vandalism, and theft in previous years, which have caused it to fall short of OPEC targets. However, Ojulari’s remarks suggest a renewed confidence in production infrastructure and capacity.

The government’s call for a quota increase would require approval from OPEC’s Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), and would likely hinge on consistent output growth and internal market absorption.

OPEC data show that total crude production by the cartel and its allies rose to 41.56 million barrels per day in June, driven by modest increases from member states including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Nigeria.

Industry analysts note that Nigeria’s request, if approved, could recalibrate the country’s earnings outlook and reinforce its position within the global oil market, especially amid renewed interest in energy security and local refining expansion.