NUPRC Unveils Measures to Boost Oil Industry Transparency, Curb Theft

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has released new guidelines under the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation, 2024, aimed at tightening oversight and enhancing transparency in Nigeria’s crude oil and petroleum exports.

The revised framework, signed off by the Commission’s Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, on Tuesday, June 17, introduced stricter documentation, digital tracking, and compliance measures to tackle long-standing challenges such as under-declaration, theft, and export manipulation.

The regulation applies to all export activities under licences and leases granted or preserved by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

It covers crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and refined petroleum products exported from any terminal or official export point in the country.

Under the updated regime, exporters are now required to:

• Obtain an export permit and vessel clearance from the NUPRC,

• Secure a Unique Identification Number (UIN) for each shipment via the Commission’s digital portal, and

• Ensure that all key export documents—such as the Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and cargo manifest—reference the assigned UIN.

The Commission will validate exporter identities and verify declared volumes before issuing clearance.

Only certified, measured cargoes will be permitted to leave Nigeria’s shores.

The NUPRC’s Advance Cargo Declaration Portal, a real-time, integrated digital system, is central to the new process and enables automated tracking, instant documentation uploads within 24 hours of loading, and seamless integration with other government systems to ensure consistent data reconciliation.

To enforce compliance, the guidelines empower the Commission to reject incomplete or inaccurate clearance applications.

Violators risk administrative penalties and possible sanctions, underscoring the regulator’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice.

Engr. Komolafe emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Commission’s mandate to enhance revenue generation, minimize leakages, and enforce regulatory integrity, all in accordance with the PIA.

He also noted that the move is part of a broader effort to modernise Nigeria’s upstream sector and restore investor confidence through transparency and accountability.

The implementation of these guidelines marks a decisive step toward streamlining the nation’s oil export regime and plugging fiscal leakages in one of its most critical revenue-generating sectors.