Abuja, Nigeria – February 18, 2026: Nigeria has recorded an estimated revenue loss of ₦1.76 trillion after failing to meet its crude oil production quota allocated by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in recent months. Industry data indicates that persistent underproduction, driven by pipeline vandalism, crude theft, and operational setbacks, significantly affected export volumes.

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According to oil sector reports reviewed on Tuesday, Nigeria’s output remained below its OPEC quota benchmark for several consecutive months, despite government assurances of improved security in oil-producing regions. Production figures hovered around an average lower than the assigned daily quota, translating into substantial revenue gaps at a time when the 2026 national budget heavily depends on oil earnings.

Officials within the petroleum sector attribute the shortfall to ageing infrastructure, delayed investments, and intermittent shutdowns at key terminals. While security operations have reportedly reduced large-scale theft in some areas of the Niger Delta, industry stakeholders say output recovery has been slower than anticipated. The revenue loss comes amid pressure on the Federal Government to boost foreign exchange inflows and stabilise the naira.

Economic analysts warn that continued failure to meet OPEC quotas could strain fiscal projections for 2026, especially as capital funding releases remain tight. With crude oil still accounting for a significant portion of Nigeria’s foreign earnings, experts stress that restoring production capacity remains critical to meeting revenue targets and sustaining economic growth in the months ahead.