By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have reinforced their collaboration to combat the diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption and to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.
This renewed partnership was underscored during a meeting between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure of the NMDPRA, Ogbugo Ukoha at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, Adeniyi reaffirmed the commitment of the Customs Service to deepening inter-agency cooperation, particularly in preventing the illegal movement of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders. He said sustained collaboration was critical to safeguarding domestic energy supply and protecting national economic interests.
The Comptroller-General noted that joint efforts between both agencies had already yielded tangible results, especially through Operation Whirlwind, which he described as a model initiative for intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement and joint field operations.
He added that the NCS remains fully aligned with ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector and would continue to provide operational feedback, technical input and border management expertise to support the implementation of new guidelines being developed by the NMDPRA.
Adeniyi also commended the Authority for its efforts to harmonise regulatory processes with the Petroleum Industry Act, stressing that clear and efficient export procedures are vital as Nigeria transitions from a net importer to an emerging exporter of petroleum products.
“We welcome initiatives that strengthen energy security and ensure that the gains recorded in reducing cross-border diversion are sustained. Our shared responsibility is to protect the national interest, support legitimate trade and maintain a transparent system stakeholders can trust,” he said.
In his remarks, Ukoha said the NMDPRA enjoys a longstanding and productive relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that Operation Whirlwind remains a major highlight of that collaboration.
He explained that through the deployment of joint personnel, intelligence sharing and coordinated monitoring of border corridors, both agencies had significantly reduced the diversion of petroleum products across borders.
Ukoha said the visit was aimed at briefing the Customs leadership on newly developed guidelines for the designation of petroleum export points, in line with Nigeria’s expanding refining capacity. He disclosed that the NMDPRA is consulting key institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Nigerian Navy, to ensure the guidelines reflect operational realities.
He recalled several joint operations and strategic engagements with Customs leadership, including the launch of Operation Whirlwind in Yola, where both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to securing the domestic petroleum supply chain.
Ukoha added that while enforcement had played a significant role in curbing illegal movements, the removal of fuel subsidy had also reduced the economic incentives driving cross-border smuggling.
According to him, the NMDPRA will continue to work closely with the Customs Service to sustain current gains and ensure that petroleum exports are properly regulated without undermining Nigeria’s energy security.
