The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has directed that all crude oil and petroleum product exporters must obtain an export permit, vessel clearance, and a Unique Identification Number (UIN) before any shipment is allowed to leave the country.
This new mandate, issued under the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation 2024, is part of a broader move to tighten control over Nigeria’s crude oil export processes and plug longstanding revenue leakages.
According to the Commission, exporters are now required to use NUPRC’s online platforms to process all pre-shipment documentation. This includes verification of exporter identity, confirmation of cargo volume, and issuance of a UIN, which will be embedded in all clearance notifications. All relevant export documents—including the Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and cargo manifest—must carry the UIN to ensure full traceability.
A statement issued by the Commission’s Public Relations Unit on Wednesday quoted the Commission Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, as saying the new regulation was necessary to tackle oil theft, under-declaration, and revenue loss at Nigeria’s export terminals.
Komolafe said the guidelines are backed by Section 10(f) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and offer a comprehensive framework for regulating the export of crude oil, condensates, natural gas liquids, and other petroleum products from Nigerian terminals.
“This is a significant step in plugging leakages and restoring integrity to Nigeria’s export chain,” Komolafe stated. “We are leveraging technology to ensure full visibility and accountability for every barrel exported.”
The Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) system, a digital platform developed by the Commission, will enable real-time tracking of crude oil from production fields to export terminals. It is also expected to prevent export disruptions, cargo misreporting, and theft—issues that have plagued the sector for years.
The regulation also empowers the NUPRC to deny vessel clearance where documentation is found to be incomplete, false, or inconsistent. Exporters found in violation may face administrative fines and other sanctions.
The system requires the uploading of cargo data within 24 hours of loading, ensuring timely updates and seamless integration with other government export systems.
From January to March 2025, Nigeria exported crude oil and other petroleum products valued at N12.96 trillion, despite its refineries remaining largely underutilised due to feedstock shortages. Industry analysts have repeatedly warned that unless export leakages are addressed, Nigeria will continue to lose vital revenue needed to boost local refining and national development.
The Commission stressed that the new rules apply to all licenses and leases granted under the PIA 2021, including all export terminals and points of exit across the country.
Komolafe added that the Advance Cargo Declaration initiative aligns with the Commission’s broader reforms to modernise Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas operations, ensure accurate revenue reporting, and uphold compliance with industry regulations.
“This regulation is designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in Nigeria’s crude oil and petroleum product exports,” the statement read.
With this move, the Commission is signaling a new era of oversight, one where every shipment is recorded, verified, and monitored from origin to destination—a step stakeholders hope will curb illicit activities and boost Nigeria’s oil earnings.
