Oil production in Nigeria has risen dramatically, a government figure has stated, adding that such growth could lead to further technological developments.

According to Diezani Alison-Madueke, minister of petroleum resources in the country, the post-amnesty programme granted to Nigerian ex-militants by the federal government has boosted oil production.

Speaking in Lagos, the minister estimated that the country held around 37.2 billion barrels of oil reserves and 183 trillion cubic feet of gas in January, and further growth may lead to the requirement for more training and development programmes.

A group of ex-militants in the Niger Delta region have been given training to help with further development of the industry, minister from the region Samuel Odey told the Daily Independent.

"Currently, Nigeria's deep offshore oil and gas resources are yet to be fully developed and exploited despite government efforts to attract international investors," the newspaper reports Ms Alison-Madueke as saying.

She added that the Nigerian government is backing "sustainable growth" supported by "profitable, safe, efficient and environmentally friendly" operations.

Meanwhile, Nigeria lost the equivalent of one million barrels of oil per day during the Niger Delta crisis, according to Timi Alaibe, former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

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