Delta State has maintained its position as Nigeria’s leading oil-producing state, recording the highest crude oil and condensate output between November 2023 and September 2024, according to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The report shows that Delta State produced 99.9 million barrels during the period, representing over one-third of the country’s total attributed production of 295.34 million barrels. The state’s dominance is attributed to the concentration of upstream oil assets within its territory and relatively stable production activities.
Akwa Ibom followed with 60.32 million barrels, while Bayelsa and Rivers recorded 53.2 million barrels and 50.83 million barrels, respectively. Ondo ranked fifth with 8.71 million barrels. Together, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers accounted for nearly 90 percent of Nigeria’s total oil output, with major production handled by multinational operators such as Shell, Chevron, and NNPC E&P Limited, alongside indigenous companies.
Outside the top producers, Edo recorded 7.76 million barrels, Imo 6.32 million barrels, Anambra 4.77 million barrels, and Abia 3.41 million barrels.
Lagos State, once recognised as an oil-producing state in 2016 following production from the Aje Field in the Dahomey Basin, recorded no crude oil or gas output during the period. The halt in production has been linked to disputes among operators of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 113. Lagos had previously reported earning N3.911 billion in oil revenues in 2023.
In gas production, Rivers State led with 391.3 billion standard cubic feet (scf), followed by Bayelsa with 341.2 billion scf and Delta with 318.2 billion scf. Akwa Ibom recorded 211.9 billion scf, while Edo produced 95.4 billion scf, surpassing its oil output. Ondo and Anambra produced 27.1 billion scf and 7.4 billion scf, respectively.
The figures underscore the continued strategic importance of the Niger Delta in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. According to the NUPRC, the attribution system ensures states are compensated for their contributions, with monthly remittances determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
However, the data also highlights the disparity between leading and low-output states, raising concerns over Nigeria’s ability to diversify production. Analysts note that unlocking potential in other regions through investment in marginal fields, gas infrastructure, and clear regulatory frameworks will be critical to expanding the nation’s hydrocarbon footprint beyond the Niger Delta.
