The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have reaffirmed their commitment to curbing the diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption.
This renewed collaboration was strengthened during a high-level meeting on December 9, 2025, at Customs House in Abuja, between Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and NMDPRA’s Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha.
CGC Adeniyi emphasized the importance of interagency synergy in safeguarding national energy interests. He highlighted the success of Operation Whirlwind, a joint initiative that has yielded tangible results through intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement, and field operations.
Reiterating Customs’ support for ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector, Adeniyi pledged continued technical and operational collaboration with NMDPRA, particularly in implementing new export point guidelines aligned with the Petroleum Industry Act. He stressed that streamlined export procedures are vital as Nigeria transitions from a net importer to a potential exporter of refined petroleum products.
“We fully support initiatives that reinforce energy security and prevent the reversal of gains made in combating cross-border fuel diversion,” Adeniyi stated. “Our collective duty is to protect national interests, facilitate legitimate trade, and uphold a transparent regulatory environment.”
In his remarks, Ukoha praised the longstanding partnership between the two agencies, noting that Operation Whirlwind remains a benchmark for effective collaboration. He briefed the CGC on newly developed guidelines for designating petroleum export points, which are being refined in consultation with key stakeholders including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Nigerian Navy.
Ukoha also acknowledged that while enforcement efforts have been instrumental in reducing illegal fuel movements, the removal of fuel subsidies has significantly diminished the financial incentive for smuggling. He reaffirmed NMDPRA’s commitment to working closely with Customs to ensure that petroleum exports are well-regulated and do not compromise domestic supply or energy security.