The Nigerian government has introduced new guidelines known as the Advanced Cargo Declaration Regime to enhance transparency and accountability in the country's crude oil and petroleum product exports.
The guidelines, established under the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation, 2024, require exporters to submit all export documentation within 24 hours of cargo shipment, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Public Affairs and Corporate Communication Department of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Technology-Driven Monitoring System
The NUPRC's Advance Cargo Declaration Portal represents a significant technological advancement in Nigeria's oil export monitoring capabilities. The system operates in real-time and integrates with other government export systems to enable immediate tracking and reconciliation of crude oil exports.
"The new guidelines represent a significant step towards a more transparent, accountable, and efficient oil export regime in Nigeria. By leveraging technology, robust validation, and strict documentation protocols, the Commission is addressing long-standing challenges of opacity, losses, and inefficiency in the sector," the statement explained.
The updated framework, which was approved by the Commission Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, on Tuesday, applies to all licenses and leases granted or preserved under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Addressing Domestic Supply Challenges
The new regulations come at a time when Nigeria faces challenges in supplying crude oil to domestic refineries. Despite the existence of the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation and the Domestic Crude Refining Requirement, local refiners such as Dangote Refinery continue to rely heavily on imported crude oil.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics' latest trade data, Nigeria imported crude oil worth N1.19 trillion in the first quarter of 2025 due to poor domestic supply to local refineries. During the same period, the country exported N12.96 trillion worth of crude oil and petroleum products, representing 62.89 percent of Nigeria's total exports.
The new cargo declaration regime aims to address these inconsistencies by creating a more transparent system for monitoring oil movements and ensuring accurate revenue generation for the federal government.
Industry experts believe these measures could help combat under-declaration and theft at export terminals, issues that have plagued Nigeria's oil sector for decades and contributed to significant revenue losses.
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