By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) says Nigeria remains on course to raise its crude oil production capacity to two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030. The projection was announced on Monday by NNPC’s Executive Vice President for Upstream, Udy Ntia, during a session at the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).
Speaking at the panel titled “Beyond the Barrel: The Future of Upstream Strategy,” Ntia said the country’s upstream growth plan is being driven by collaboration, technology, and decarbonisation. He noted that Nigeria’s focus has shifted from producing more oil to producing “better oil” cleaner, more efficient, and more profitable.
Ntia identified three major forces shaping the global and domestic upstream landscape: energy-transition pressures, industry fragmentation, and rapid technological innovation. He said artificial intelligence and digital tools will help unlock new value from mature fields and guide smarter investment decisions.
He added that NNPC and its partners are advancing emission-reduction initiatives, including flare monetisation and compliance with environmental regulations. Ongoing gas-infrastructure projects such as the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline and new links to domestic demand hubs were also highlighted.
Ntia said co-investment models are now central to upstream financing, enabling faster project decisions and improving bankability. He stressed that NNPC’s strategy promotes partnership between International Oil Companies and National Oil Companies, rather than competition.
In a related session, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Ojulari called for stronger collaboration to end energy poverty across Africa. Speaking at a closed-door Global Oil Club meeting at ADIPEC, he emphasised innovation, inclusiveness, and sustainable investment as key to unlocking shared prosperity.
Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to global partnerships, energy equity, and clean-energy investments. He said the company’s exhibition booth continues to attract global interest, showcasing major gas projects, methane-reduction programmes, and human-capital development initiatives.
