The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has issued a new directive requiring all crude oil exporters to obtain a Unique Identification Number (UIN), export permit, and vessel clearance before any shipment can leave the country.
The policy, issued under the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation 2024, is part of a sweeping effort to improve transparency, combat oil theft, and reduce revenue leakages at export terminals.
In a statement released by the Commission, all pre-shipment documentation must now be processed exclusively via the NUPRC’s online platforms. These platforms will facilitate:
- Exporter identity verification
- Export volume validation
- Integration of UINs into all clearance notifications
The Commission emphasized that all export documents, including the Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and cargo manifest, must clearly reference the UIN to ensure full traceability and regulatory compliance.
The directive comes amid reports that Nigeria exported crude and petroleum products worth N12.96 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, even as domestic refineries face persistent feedstock shortages.
Signed by Commission Chief Executive Gbenga Komolafe, the guidelines aim to tighten control over Nigeria’s oil export value chain and close loopholes that have historically enabled under-declaration and illegal shipments.
