OPEC: Angola edges past oil giant Nigeria

OPEC says Nigeria has lost its spot as Africa's top oil producer.

Nigeria's oil minister blames militants who have increased attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta.

The oil cartel's July report says Nigeria's production dropped 2.46 percent in June to 1.746 million barrels per day. In June Angola ramped up production to grow by 2.92 percent to 1.796 million barrels per day.

Nigerian Oil Minister Rilwanu Lukman says output is falling because of attacks by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta. Fighters have been attacking oil installations, kidnapping workers and fighting government troops since 2006 in what it calls a protest against poverty in the Niger Delta.

Nigeria is usually Africa's top oil producer.

Angola's output last topped Nigeria's in April 2008.


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