Managing Petroleum Sector Regulatory Compliance in a Post-Subsidy Environment: Lessons from South South Nigeria

This study examines how petroleum downstream companies in South South Nigeria have managed regulatory compliance obligations following the removal of the petrol subsidy in 2023 and the subsequent market liberalisation. South South Nigeria, as the epicentre of petroleum production and refining, has been particularly affected by the downstream policy transition, with major implications for distribution logistics, pricing compliance, and product quality standards. Using a professional management case study methodology, the research documents the compliance adaptation experiences of eight downstream petroleum companies in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States through semi-structured interviews with compliance and operations managers. NMDPRA regulatory correspondence and price monitoring reports from 2023 to 2024 are reviewed. Findings reveal that most companies have implemented compliance adaptation plans but face persistent challenges around pump-price calibration accuracy, documentation delays for product movements, and staff retraining costs. The study recommends a NMDPRA post-deregulation compliance transition guide and a dedicated industry compliance help desk. Keywords: regulatory compliance, petroleum subsidy, post-subsidy, South South Nigeria, NMDPRA.