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By Uche Usim
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has released its November performance data, saying it remitted N12.117 trillion in statutory payments to the federation between January and October 2025.
The figure, the NNPC loted, reinforces its status as one of the federal government’s biggest revenue pillars at a time of tight public finances and reform-driven adjustments across the economy.
The payments came alongside improved operational results. Group revenue for the period stood at N4.358 trillion, while profit after tax reached N502 billion, reflecting improved commercial performance and tighter cost discipline despite persistent operational challenges in the upstream sector.
Crude oil and condensate production remained relatively stable through the final quarter of the year.
In November, output averaged 1.6 million barrels per day, slightly up from 1.58 million barrels per day in October, although still below the 2025 peak of 1.77 million barrels per day recorded earlier in the year. The November figure comprised crude oil production of 1.36 million barrels per day and condensate volumes of 0.24 million barrels per day.
NNPC attributed the marginal fluctuations to planned maintenance activities across several major assets, including Esso-Erha, Stardeep-Agbami and fields within the Renaissance-Estuary Area. While these maintenance programmes temporarily constrained output, the company said production recovery was expected by the end of December 2025 as assets return to full service.
A key stabilising factor during the period was 100 percent upstream pipeline availability, which ensured that produced volumes were transported without major technical disruptions. This, industry observers note, has helped limit losses from evacuation bottlenecks that have historically plagued the sector.
Beyond oil, momentum continued to build around Nigeria’s gas expansion drive under the Decade of Gas initiative. Two flagship pipeline projects, seen as critical to domestic energy security and industrial growth, are now nearing completion.
The Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline has reached about 90 percent completion. Mainline welding works have been concluded, and pressure testing successfully carried out, placing the project on track for full completion in 2026. Once operational, the AKK pipeline is expected to significantly boost gas supply to northern Nigeria, supporting power generation, manufacturing and household energy access.
Similarly, the Obiafu–Obrikom–Oben (OB3) gas pipeline has advanced to 96 percent completion. Current efforts are concentrated on the technically complex River Niger crossing. Geotechnical data acquisition has been completed, and early construction activities are under way ahead of drilling. The OB3 pipeline is designed to unlock stranded gas and strengthen supply to key domestic and export markets.
These infrastructure developments are crucial to supporting Nigeria’s current gas production level of about 6,968 million standard cubic feet per day, with expectations that improved transportation capacity will translate into higher utilisation by power plants and industries.
NNPC’s 2025 performance also extended beyond financial and operational metrics into social impact. The NNPC Foundation recorded major recognition at the 2025 SERAS Sustainability Africa Awards, winning five categories, including Most Responsible Organisation in Africa and Best Company in Poverty Reduction.
On the ground, social investments continued to take shape. In Lagos, the rehabilitation of three wards at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, had reached over 90 percent completion by late November, according to project updates. The intervention forms part of wider health and education initiatives being implemented nationwide by the Foundation.
For 2026, NNPC says its priority is to maximise infrastructure uptime and deepen collaboration with joint venture and production sharing contract partners. Scheduled turnaround maintenance for 2025 assets is being wrapped up to ensure readiness for the 2026 production plan.
While some project timelines, including the West African Exploration Project first oil, have experienced delays, the company maintains that a sharper focus on facility integrity, maintenance standards and stakeholder engagement will underpin improved performance in the coming year.
With trillions of naira flowing to government coffers, gas pipelines approaching completion and social investments gaining traction, NNPC said it is positioning itself not only as an energy producer, but as a central driver of Nigeria’s wider economic and social agenda heading into 2026.
