The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that it will no longer grant export permits to oil companies that fail to meet their domestic crude supply obligations. The move is part of the Commission’s broader effort to strengthen energy security and support local refining operations.
The Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, disclosed this on Monday at the second Nigeria Refining Summit held in Lagos. Komolafe, who was represented by an official of the Commission, Boma Atiyegoba, emphasized that the policy aligns with the federal government’s drive to ensure self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products.
Speaking on the theme, “Refining – Key to Energy Security in Africa,” Komolafe explained that the NUPRC, in collaboration with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), periodically determines the crude requirements of local refineries every six months and ensures that producers meet their supply obligations as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He further stated that the Commission has developed clear regulatory frameworks to enforce compliance, warning that any oil company that fails to supply crude to local refineries will not be cleared to export.
According to Komolafe, this measure will promote local refining, reduce dependence on imported fuel, and guarantee steady supply for domestic consumption.
