In a landmark achievement for Nigeria's maritime petroleum sector, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has dramatically streamlined vessel clearance processes, with most petroleum product vessels now receiving approval within mere hours.

Official records reveal that in November 2025, the vast majority of petroleum vessel applications were processed with unprecedented speed, often completed within minutes of submission. The agency's vessel clearance schedule demonstrates a remarkable efficiency, with processing times ranging from just minutes to several hours, and predominantly staying well under the 24-hour mark.

Notably, vessels associated with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE emerged as standout performers, with at least two vessels receiving clearance in an astonishing 10 to 11 minutes. This lightning-fast processing occurred when operators submitted comprehensive documentation upfront, highlighting the critical importance of thorough initial paperwork.

Major petroleum marketers including NNPC Trading, NNPC Retail, Ardova, TotalEnergies, NIPCO, Rainoil, and Eterna were prominently featured in the schedule. Interestingly, analysts noted that approval speeds varied not by company size, but by compliance levels and submission timing.

The development comes against a backdrop of significant fuel importation, with Nigeria importing approximately 1.5 billion litres of petrol in November alone. The Dangote refinery, a $20 billion Lekki facility, contributed 585 million litres during the month, supplying 19.5 million litres daily since its September 2024 launch.

While the NMDPRA attributed previous low supply to September and October shortages, the Dangote refinery contested this narrative, dramatically accusing the former NMDPRA Chief Executive Farouk Ahmed of economic sabotage. This tension underscores the complex dynamics of Nigeria's evolving petroleum infrastructure.

The improved clearance process represents a significant stride towards operational efficiency, potentially reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhancing Nigeria's maritime petroleum logistics.