NUPRC Reports 37 Billion Barrels Oil Reserves for 2026

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) officially declared the nation's total petroleum reserves as of January 1, 2026, amounting to 37.01 billion barrels of crude oil and 215.19 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas. This announcement was made by the Commission's Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, on a Wednesday.

The declaration underscores Nigeria's sustained capacity in the upstream petroleum sector despite global energy shifts and domestic production challenges. The figures reflect Nigeria's position as a leading oil and gas holder in Africa and highlight the strategic importance of gas in the country's energy transition plans.

NUPRC provided a detailed breakdown of the reserves, illustrating stable growth in the sector. The data emphasizes Nigeria's potential in hydrocarbon resources, particularly in leveraging gas as a transit fuel in the decarbonization of the global energy market.

NUPRC's initiatives aim to unlock investments across the gas value chain, including exploration, processing, transport, and export infrastructure.