‘Nigeria’s oil production push to 3m bpd hinges on indigenous players’

Mkpoikana Udoma

Abuja — The Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group, IPPG, Abdulrazaq Isa, has declared that Nigeria’s ambitious goal to increase crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day, bpd, and gas output to 13 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030 will largely depend on indigenous operators, particularly those holding newly divested onshore and shallow water assets.

Speaking at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas, NOG, Energy Week 2025 in Abuja, Isa said the onus is now on the industry to deliver, especially following a period of intense reforms and unprecedented responsiveness by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“As I look back and critically examine what has been implemented industry-wide, it is heartwarming to note that most of the industry’s wish list has been delivered. This is unprecedented,” Isa said.

He added that the reforms have created a fertile operating environment for local oil and gas players to thrive, with indigenous producers now contributing over 50% of Nigeria’s daily production.

“Our immediate focus as an industry is to reposition into action the marching order by the President to raise national oil production to 3 million barrels per day and 13 billion cubic feet of gas by 2030,” he stated.

Isa emphasized that the bulk of the projected incremental production, 1.3 million bpd and 4.5 billion scf/d, is expected to come from assets recently divested by international oil companies, IOCs, now operated largely by IPPG members.

“We are quite aware of this national responsibility and have already begun implementing key strategic plans to ramp up production,” he said.

But he warned that such growth will not happen automatically. It will require “significant and steady financing,” infrastructure upgrades, and a complete shift in the way the Nigerian oil and gas industry is managed.

“We must ensure there’s a meaningful shift in how the industry is run to deliver the desired national impact. We must act as a catalyst for economic transformation and industrialization,” Isa charged.

The IPPG Chairman called for a unified front across stakeholders to attract strategic public and private investments, expand pipelines and terminals, and guarantee security in the Niger Delta.

“We must upgrade and expand industry infrastructure to enhance the reliability of product supply to both domestic and export markets,” he said.

He also advocated deeper engagement with host communities and indigenous service providers, in order to strengthen technical capacity and foster peace.

“We must promote a shared sense of responsibility for security, build local capacity, and reduce the industry’s unit operating costs through collaboration and operational efficiency,” Isa added.

He stressed that sustainability, ethical conduct, and social license to operate must form the foundation of future growth:

“We must operate at the highest levels of social responsibility and good governance, placing ethical, environmental, and social considerations at the core of our aspirations.”

Isa concluded his remarks by announcing that the IPPG will mark its 10th anniversary on September 11, 2025, celebrating a decade of advocacy for favourable industry policies, private sector participation, and stakeholder engagement.

“Since its establishment in 2015, IPPG has consistently advocated for reforms and partnered with stakeholders for the advancement of the energy sector for the benefit of our dear nation,” he said.

SweetCrude Reports continues its special coverage of NOG 2025, where key players are mapping the path to Nigeria’s energy future.