NUPRC Rolls Out New Rules to Boost Transparency in Oil Exports

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has introduced comprehensive new regulations aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency in the country’s crude oil and petroleum product export sector.

These guidelines, issued under the 2024 Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation, are designed to strengthen cargo declaration systems and optimize export procedures.

In a statement released on Wednesday by the Public Affairs Unit, NUPRC announced that the new framework establishes a robust system for declaring and monitoring exports of crude oil and petroleum products.

The regulatory scope covers all licenses and leases governed by the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), including the export of crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and petroleum products from all terminals and export facilities across the country.

Under the updated requirements, exporters must obtain an export permit, vessel clearance, and a Unique Identification Number (UIN) through NUPRC’s digital platforms before any shipment can proceed. The commission will verify exporter identities and validate export quantities before issuing clearance notices, each of which will contain a UIN for tracking purposes.

Additionally, all export documentation—including bills of lading, certificates of origin, and cargo manifests—must include the UIN to ensure traceability and compliance with regulatory standards.

The commission described its Advance Cargo Declaration Portal as a real-time, technology-enabled system integrated with other government export platforms, facilitating continuous monitoring and reconciliation of export operations.

“These new guidelines represent a significant step towards a more transparent, accountable, and efficient oil export regime in Nigeria,” the commission stated.

NUPRC also emphasized that it will reject vessel clearance applications that are incomplete, lack required documentation, or contain inaccurate information. Non-compliance will attract penalties as stipulated in the regulations.

Through the adoption of advanced technology, rigorous validation procedures, and stringent documentation requirements, NUPRC aims to address longstanding issues of opacity, revenue loss, and inefficiencies in the sector.

NUPRC Chief Executive Officer, Gbenga Komolafe, noted that the initiative aligns with the commission’s mandate to boost government revenue, reduce waste, and enhance regulatory oversight in line with the provisions of the PIA.

Recent trade data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that Nigeria imported crude oil worth N1.19 trillion during the first quarter of 2025. In the same period, crude oil and petroleum product exports amounted to N12.96 trillion, representing 62.89% of the country’s total exports.