Nigeria’s drive to secure its domestic fuel market while positioning itself as an emerging exporter of refined petroleum products has received a boost, following renewed collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The strengthened partnership was reaffirmed during a high-level meeting between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the NMDPRA, Mr Ogbugo Ukoha. The engagement underscored the determination of both agencies to curb the diversion of petroleum products meant for local consumption and to align enforcement strategies with ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, the discussions focused on tightening border controls, improving intelligence sharing, and enhancing coordination in response to evolving regulatory frameworks. According to the statement, both institutions are committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s energy security by ensuring that products designated for domestic use do not find their way across borders through illegal channels.

Speaking at the meeting, Adeniyi stressed that inter-agency cooperation remains central to Customs’ mandate, particularly in preventing cross-border diversion of petroleum products. He noted that joint initiatives with the NMDPRA have already yielded measurable results, citing Operation Whirlwind as a successful model of intelligence-led enforcement and coordinated field operations.

He explained that the Customs Service is fully aligned with reforms in the midstream and downstream petroleum sectors and will continue to provide technical input, operational feedback, and border management expertise to support the implementation of new regulatory guidelines being developed by the NMDPRA.

Adeniyi also commended the Authority for harmonising legacy processes with the Petroleum Industry Act, describing clear and efficient export-point procedures as critical at a time when Nigeria is transitioning from being a net importer of petroleum products to a growing exporter.

“We welcome every initiative that strengthens energy security and ensures that the gains made in reducing cross-border diversion are not reversed,” he said. “Our shared responsibility is to protect national interest, support legitimate trade, and maintain a transparent system that stakeholders can rely on.”

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the NMDPRA, Mr Ogbugo Ukoha
In his remarks, Ukoha highlighted the longstanding and productive relationship between the NMDPRA and the Customs Service, identifying Operation Whirlwind as a major milestone in their collaboration. He explained that the joint deployment of personnel, intelligence sharing, and coordinated monitoring of border corridors had significantly reduced the illegal movement of petroleum products.

Ukoha said the visit was also aimed at briefing the Comptroller-General on newly developed guidelines for the designation of petroleum export points, in line with Nigeria’s expanding refining capacity. He noted that the NMDPRA is consulting widely with key stakeholders, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Nigerian Navy, and the Customs Service, to ensure that the guidelines are practical and reflect on-the-ground realities before implementation.

He recalled several joint field 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 supply chain.

While enforcement has been instrumental in reducing diversion, Ukoha added that the removal of fuel subsidy has also played a critical role by diminishing the economic incentive for cross-border smuggling. He assured that the NMDPRA would continue to work closely with Customs to sustain the progress achieved and to ensure that petroleum exports are properly regulated without compromising national energy security.

Nigeria has for years grappled with large-scale smuggling of subsidised petroleum products to neighbouring countries, a challenge that has cost the economy billions of naira annually. With subsidy removal and increasing local refining capacity—largely driven by private sector investments—regulators are now focused on striking a careful balance between export opportunities and the need to guarantee adequate domestic supply. Both the Customs Service and the NMDPRA agree that achieving this balance will require tighter coordination, clearer rules, and more effective controls at the nation’s borders.