Nigeria's oil production fell to 1.23 million barrels per day in March. 

The decline is attributed to oil companies' pipeline problems and ongoing maintenance, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Nigerian officials.

The March figure marks a significant drop from the 1.32 million barrels per day produced in February and the 1.42 million produced in January, as reported by OPEC.

Nigeria's Ministry of Petroleum Resources stated that issues on the Trans Niger Pipeline, a major artery transporting crude oil from southern extraction points to export terminals, were a key factor in the decline. 

Additionally, routine maintenance activities conducted by oil firms across the country contributed to the lower output.

The government expects production to rebound to 1.7 million barrels per day once maintenance is finalized, according to Nigerian news outlet The Punch.

Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have long been challenging for Nigeria's oil industry, limiting production and hindering the country from meeting its OPEC quotas.