The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has introduced a new digital framework to strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the export of crude oil and petroleum products.
The initiative, issued under the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation 2024, establishes a more structured cargo declaration system, aligning with the Commission’s mandate to streamline Nigeria’s oil export processes under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
According to a statement by the NUPRC Public Affairs Unit, the regulation mandates that all exporters of crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and petroleum products from Nigeria’s terminals obtain an export permit, vessel clearance, and a Unique Identification Number (UIN) through NUPRC’s digital platform before shipment.
The Commission will validate exporter identities and verify export volumes before issuing clearance notices embedded with a UIN, which will ensure full traceability and enable effective monitoring across the value chain. To meet regulatory standards, all export documents, including the bill of lading, certificate of origin, and cargo manifest, must contain the UIN.
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The new regime will be powered by the NUPRC’s Advance Cargo Declaration Portal a real-time, integrated platform that connects with other government export systems for seamless oversight and data reconciliation. The Commission reserves the right to reject incomplete or falsified applications and will impose sanctions on violators under regulatory provisions.
“These new guidelines represent a significant step towards a more transparent, accountable, and efficient oil export regime in Nigeria,” the Commission stated, affirming its commitment to addressing inefficiencies and reducing losses in the oil export system.
NUPRC’s Chief Executive Officer, Gbenga Komolafe, noted that the initiative reinforces the Commission’s focus on boosting government revenue, tightening regulatory oversight, and promoting operational discipline in line with the PIA.
