Nigeria Economic Update, Issue 3

According to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) January Monthly Oil Market Report, Nigeria’s average daily crude oil output stood at 1.485 million in December 2024. The oil output lagged the Federal Government's 2024 budgeted benchmark of 1.78 million bpd and the OPEC quota of 1.5 million bpd. Also, there was a decline in Crude oil prices to US$74.22 in December 2024 from US$75.38 per barrel in November, representing a 1.5% month-on-month decline. The country's inability to meet the government's projected production level can be attributed to multiple factors, including aging infrastructure, underinvestment, and oil theft which continue to result in low production. A combination of low production levels and a decline in crude oil prices would result in lower government finances. Specifically, the country's inability to meet the quotas could have a detrimental impact on national reserves and revenue, reducing resources availability to finance developmental projects in the country. Thus, the government must strengthen efforts against oil theft and bunkering by working with local communities and imposing harsher penalties for unlawful operations in oil-producing communities. The government also needs to strengthen existing investment policies to attract private investors who can invest in modern-day oil facilities or infrastructure to increase oil production.  

Download PDF