The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has introduced a new requirement that all exporters of crude oil and petroleum products must obtain an export permit, vessel clearance, and a Unique Identification Number (UIN) before any shipment can leave the country.
The regulation is part of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation 2024 and aims to tackle under-declaration, oil theft, and revenue loss. The new process mandates full documentation and real-time tracking of every shipment using the Commission's online platforms.
Exporters will now need to process pre-shipment documents online, verify identities, confirm volumes, and obtain a UIN. All related export documents—including the Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and cargo manifest—must carry the UIN to be valid.
Read also:
In a statement, the Commission's Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, said the initiative supports transparency and compliance in line with Section 10(f) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. It covers all exports from Nigerian terminals and exit points, including crude oil, condensates, natural gas liquids, and refined petroleum products.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, oil producers exported crude and petroleum products worth over N12.9 trillion, despite challenges in local refining due to feedstock shortages.
The new guidelines also give the Commission authority to deny clearance for vessels with incomplete or falsified documentation. Offenders may face administrative fines and further sanctions.
Komolafe noted that the system will enhance monitoring and improve government revenue by ensuring full visibility on every barrel exported. "We are leveraging technology to restore integrity to Nigeria's export chain," he said.
