The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have strengthened their collaboration to curb the diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption and to safeguard Nigeria’s energy security.
This commitment was underscored during a meeting between the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, and the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure of NMDPRA, Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, held in Abuja.
Speaking at the engagement, CGC Adeniyi reiterated the Customs Service’s resolve to deepen inter-agency cooperation, particularly in protecting Nigeria’s domestic energy supply and ensuring that petroleum products designated for local use are not diverted to neighbouring countries.
He noted that existing collaboration between the two agencies had yielded tangible results, especially through Operation Whirlwind, which he described as a successful model for intelligence sharing, joint enforcement, and coordinated field operations.
According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service remains fully aligned with ongoing reforms in the petroleum regulatory space and will continue to provide technical input, operational feedback and border management expertise to support the implementation of new guidelines being developed by the NMDPRA.
Adeniyi commended the Authority’s efforts to harmonise legacy processes with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), stressing that clear and efficient export-point procedures are critical as Nigeria transitions from being a net importer to an emerging exporter of petroleum products.
“We welcome every initiative that strengthens energy security and ensures that the gains made in reducing cross-border diversion are not reversed. Our shared responsibility is to protect national interest, support legitimate trade and maintain a transparent system that stakeholders can rely on. We will continue to work closely with sister agencies to achieve these outcomes,” he said.
In his remarks, Ukoha described the relationship between the NMDPRA and the Nigeria Customs Service as longstanding and productive, identifying Operation Whirlwind as a major highlight of that collaboration.
He explained that the joint operation involved the deployment of personnel, intelligence sharing and coordinated monitoring of petroleum product movements along border corridors, leading to a significant reduction in cross-border diversion.
Ukoha said the visit was aimed at briefing the Customs leadership on newly developed guidelines for the designation of export points for petroleum products, in line with Nigeria’s expanding refining capacity.
He added that the NMDPRA is engaging key institutions, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Nigerian Navy, to ensure the guidelines reflect operational realities before implementation.
The NMDPRA executive recalled several field operations and strategic engagements with the Customs leadership, including the joint launch of Operation Whirlwind in Yola, where both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to curbing diversion and securing the domestic petroleum supply chain.
He noted that while enforcement efforts have played a critical role in reducing irregular movements of petroleum products, the removal of fuel subsidy has also significantly reduced the economic incentive for cross-border smuggling.
According to him, the NMDPRA will continue to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service to sustain the gains recorded and ensure that petroleum exports are effectively regulated without compromising the nation’s energy security.
David Adekunle