by George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority have intensified joint efforts to curb the diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.
The renewed collaboration was highlighted on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, during a meeting between the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the NMDPRA, Ogbugo Ukoha, at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to deepening interagency cooperation, particularly in safeguarding domestic energy supply and ensuring that petroleum products designated for local use are not diverted to neighbouring countries. He said existing collaboration between both agencies had already produced measurable results, pointing to Operation Whirlwind as a practical example of effective intelligence sharing, joint enforcement and coordinated field operations.
The Customs boss stated that the Service remains aligned with ongoing reforms in the petroleum regulatory sector and will continue to provide technical input, operational feedback and border management expertise to support the implementation of new export point guidelines being developed by the NMDPRA. He commended the Authority for harmonising legacy procedures with the Petroleum Industry Act, noting that clear and efficient export point processes are essential as Nigeria moves from being a net importer to an emerging exporter of petroleum products.
He added that sustaining the gains recorded in reducing cross border diversion remains a shared responsibility, stressing that Customs will continue to work closely with sister agencies to protect national interest, support legitimate trade and maintain transparency across the petroleum supply chain.
In his remarks, Ukoha described the working relationship between the NMDPRA and the Nigeria Customs Service as longstanding and productive, identifying Operation Whirlwind as the high point of that collaboration. He explained that both agencies jointly deployed personnel, exchanged intelligence and monitored petroleum product movements along border corridors, leading to a marked reduction in cross border diversion.
Ukoha said the visit was aimed at briefing the Comptroller General on newly developed guidelines for the designation of export points for petroleum products, in line with Nigeria’s expanding refining capacity. He disclosed that the Authority is engaging 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 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 curbing diversion and securing the domestic petroleum supply chain. According to him, while enforcement efforts have played a major role in reducing irregular movements of petroleum products, the removal of fuel subsidy has also reduced the economic incentive for cross border smuggling.
Ukoha said the NMDPRA will continue to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service to sustain progress and ensure that petroleum exports are properly regulated without exposing the country to energy security risks.
The Nigeria Customs Service is responsible for border control, trade facilitation and enforcement, while the NMDPRA regulates Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations under the Petroleum Industry Act, with both agencies playing central roles in protecting the nation’s energy and economic interests.
