Nigeria’s total oil production climbed to approximately 1.70 million barrels per day in May, a 2.2 percent increase that pushed the country past its OPEC allocation for the first time this year. Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager of Community and Stakeholders Relations at Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited PINL, disclosed these figures during the company’s stakeholders’ engagement forum held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Yenagoa at the weekend.

He claimed that the milestone is credited to tighter surveillance, stronger community ties, and a collective push against crude theft.

“Of that figure, crude oil alone averaged 1.53 million barrels per day, representing 102 percent of Nigeria’s OPEC quota.”

According to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC,  it is the highest combined production level the country has recorded since July 2025.

“This achievement reinforces Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading oil producer,” Dr. Mezeh said, represented at the event by Andrew Ebikeme, PINL’s Head of Community Relations.

He attributed the production gains to “improved pipeline security, enhanced stakeholder engagement, stronger community participation, and the collective determination to reject crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refining activities.”

The milestone, however, was tempered by a stark reminder of the threats that continue to shadow the Niger Delta’s oil infrastructure. Dr. Mezeh disclosed that armed individuals attacked the Trans-Niger Pipeline, TNP on June 15, 2026, near the Odau axis in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, an incident he said had been escalated to security authorities for urgent action.

“Such attacks pose serious environmental and economic risks,” he warned, calling on communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.

A representative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL, Engr. Akponime Omojewvhe, echoed that appeal, urging host communities to deepen cooperation with security and surveillance agencies to prevent future incidents.

On a more encouraging note, Dr. Mezeh highlighted the recent declaration by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project HYPREP that Ogoniland is now free of active illegal refining sites — a development he described as a turning point for the region’s environmental recovery.

PINL also used the forum to reaffirm its social commitments, confirming the fulfilment of scholarship payments and women empowerment grants pledged at a previous engagement, with plans for a structured youth training programme said to be underway.

Traditional rulers and government officials present lent their voices to the call for community support. King Sunny Jacob, Paramount Ruler of Joinkarama IV Community in Ahoada West LGA, Rivers State, and Oyinfie Jonjon, Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Ijaw National Affairs, both praised PINL’s community empowerment efforts and urged residents to protect pipeline infrastructure in their localities.

“These developments provide hope for a cleaner environment, healthier communities, and a more prosperous future for the Niger Delta region,” Dr. Mezeh concluded.