The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have strengthened their partnership to combat the diversion of petroleum products earmarked for domestic use.
The partnership was renewed 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, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
During the engagement, CGC Adeniyi reiterated the Service’s commitment to deepening interagency cooperation, particularly in safeguarding Nigeria’s domestic energy security and ensuring that petroleum products meant for local consumption are not diverted to neighbouring countries.
He noted that the collaboration between both agencies had already produced measurable results, especially through Operation Whirlwind, which he described as a model for intelligence sharing, joint enforcement, and coordinated field operations.
The CGC affirmed that the NCS remains fully aligned with ongoing reforms in the petroleum regulatory space and will continue to provide technical input, operational feedback, and border management expertise to support the implementation of new guidelines being developed by the NMDPRA.
He commended the Authority for its efforts to harmonise legacy processes with the Petroleum Industry Act, stressing that clear and efficient export-point procedures are essential as Nigeria transitions from being a net importer to an emerging exporter of petroleum products.
“We welcome every initiative that strengthens energy security and ensures that the gains made in reducing cross border diversion are not reversed. Our shared responsibility is to protect national interest, support legitimate trade, and maintain a transparent system that stakeholders can rely on. We will continue to work closely with sister agencies to achieve these outcomes,” he said.
In his remarks, Ukoha acknowledged that the NMDPRA enjoys a longstanding and productive working relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that Operation Whirlwind remains the high point of that collaboration.
He explained that both agencies deployed personnel, exchanged intelligence, and jointly monitored petroleum products along border corridors, leading to a marked reduction in cross border diversion.
Ukoha stated that the purpose of the visit was to brief the CGC on newly developed guidelines for designating export points for petroleum products as Nigeria’s refining capacity expands.
The Executive Director disclosed that the NMDPRA is engaging key institutions, including Customs, 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 field operations and strategic engagements with the Customs leadership, including the joint launch of Operation Whirlwind in Yola, where both agencies reinforced their commitment to curbing diversion and securing the domestic supply chain.
Ukoha further stated that while enforcement has played a major role in reducing irregular movements of petroleum products, the removal of fuel subsidy has significantly reduced the economic incentive for cross border smuggling.
He added that the NMDPRA will continue to work closely with the Service to sustain progress and ensure that petroleum exports are properly regulated without exposing the country to energy security risks.
