Customs, NMDPRA strengthen ties to curb fuel diversion
The Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority have enhanced their partnership to curb the diversion of petroleum products meant for local consumption, as the country intensifies efforts to secure energy resources while increasing fuel exports.
This renewed dedication was underscored during a meeting between Customs Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi and NMDPRA’s Executive Director for Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha.
As stated in a release on Sunday by the Customs Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the talks focused on strengthening border controls, advancing intelligence sharing, and aligning enforcement with ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector.
The statement noted, “The Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority are amplifying their collaboration to prevent the diversion of petroleum products intended for domestic use and to protect Nigeria’s energy security.”
During the meeting, Adeniyi highlighted the Customs Service’s dedication to strong inter-agency collaboration to stop the diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic use to neighboring nations.
He pointed out that joint initiatives with the NMDPRA have already yielded tangible results, referencing Operation Whirlwind as a successful example of intelligence-driven enforcement, coordinated field operations, and real-time information exchange.
Adeniyi further mentioned that the Customs Service fully supports ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector and will continue to provide technical advice, operational insights, and expertise in border management to aid the implementation of new guidelines from the NMDPRA.
Adeniyi commended the Authority for updating legacy processes in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, stressing that efficient export-point procedures are essential as Nigeria transitions from being a net importer to an emerging exporter of refined petroleum products.
“We embrace every initiative that bolsters energy security and ensures that the progress made in curbing cross-border diversion is not reversed. Our collective obligation is to safeguard national interests, promote legitimate trade, and maintain a transparent system that stakeholders can trust. We will persist in collaborating closely with sister agencies to reach these objectives,” he asserted.
In his comments, NMDPRA Executive Director Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha noted the Authority’s long-standing and fruitful collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, highlighting that Operation Whirlwind is a cornerstone of their partnership.
He clarified that both agencies assign personnel, exchange intelligence, and collectively oversee petroleum products at border areas, resulting in a significant decline in cross-border diversion.
Ukoha mentioned that the purpose of the visit was to inform the Comptroller-General of Customs about the newly established guidelines for designating export points for petroleum products, as Nigeria’s refining capacity continues to expand.
He indicated that the NMDPRA is engaging with key organizations—including the Customs Service, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Nigerian Navy—to ensure the guidelines are practical and suited for implementation.
Ukoha also recalled various field operations and strategic discussions with Customs leadership, including the joint launch of Operation Whirlwind in Yola, where both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to preventing diversion and securing the domestic petroleum supply chain.
He noted that while enforcement has notably reduced the unlawful movement of petroleum products, the removal of fuel subsidies has also greatly diminished the financial incentives for cross-border smuggling.
Ukoha emphasized that the NMDPRA will maintain close collaboration with the Customs Service to sustain progress and ensure that petroleum exports are effectively regulated without jeopardizing the country’s energy security.
In recent times, Nigeria has faced significant challenges with widespread diversion and smuggling of subsidized petroleum products to neighboring countries, costing the economy billions of naira each year.
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