Customs Reaffirms Commitment to Cleansing Nigeria’s Downstream Petroleum Sector

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restated its commitment to sanitising the downstream petroleum sector as part of renewed efforts to curb illegal activities such as smuggling, diversion, and adulteration of refined petroleum products. The agency said it will intensify its collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the movement and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

In a statement released over the weekend, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed that the Service remains resolute in its mission to eliminate sharp practices that undermine the integrity of the downstream sector. According to him, Customs is determined to align its operations with the federal government’s broader agenda to stabilise the petroleum industry and improve Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.

Adeniyi stated that the Service had initiated a series of coordinated operations designed to intercept illicit petroleum product movements and dismantle smuggling networks responsible for draining the nation’s resources. He explained that the Customs has strengthened intelligence-sharing mechanisms with partner agencies to monitor the flow of products from depots and refineries to ensure they are not diverted to neighbouring countries or black-market operators.

“The Nigeria Customs Service is fully committed to cleansing the downstream petroleum sector of all illegalities. Our focus is to ensure that every litre of refined product meant for the Nigerian market gets to its rightful destination. We will not allow any act of diversion, under-declaration, or smuggling that jeopardises national energy security,” Adeniyi said.

He added that Customs will continue to deploy advanced technologies, including digital monitoring tools and satellite surveillance, to track the movement of petroleum products nationwide. The Service is also working closely with the NMDPRA and the Office of the National Security Adviser to enhance enforcement mechanisms and reduce the loopholes exploited by illegal operators.

This renewed commitment follows a series of operations in which the NCS intercepted several tankers transporting petroleum products illegally across border routes in the northern and southwestern regions of the country. Officials said these operations have saved the federal government billions of naira in lost revenue and have helped to stabilise fuel distribution in affected areas.

The Customs boss further revealed that the Service will intensify training for its officers in petroleum logistics and compliance monitoring to ensure effective enforcement of government regulations. “The downstream sector is critical to our national economy, and it requires a disciplined and transparent approach to supervision. Every officer must understand the significance of this assignment and the impact it has on national development,” he noted.

Industry experts have commended the NCS’s renewed focus on the downstream sector, describing it as a timely intervention to restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain. Analysts pointed out that the porous nature of Nigeria’s borders and inadequate monitoring mechanisms have long encouraged fuel diversion and smuggling, particularly to neighbouring West African countries where petrol prices are higher. They added that the collaboration between Customs and the NMDPRA is essential to ensuring that petroleum products remain within Nigeria’s legitimate market.

Energy policy analyst Chukwuma Nwosu said that the sanitisation drive, if properly implemented, could enhance transparency, improve fuel availability, and ensure fair pricing. “For too long, the downstream sector has suffered from inefficiencies caused by unregulated activities. Customs’ intervention adds an enforcement layer that complements existing regulatory efforts,” he stated.

The Customs Service has also reaffirmed its readiness to support the federal government’s reforms aimed at strengthening local refining capacity. Officials indicated that the sanitisation programme would work in tandem with the broader national energy strategy, which seeks to reduce dependence on imported fuel and encourage investments in domestic refineries such as Dangote Refinery and modular refinery projects across states.

According to Adeniyi, effective downstream regulation is essential for ensuring that Nigeria’s energy sector operates sustainably. He added that Customs is working to ensure that all import and export activities related to petroleum products comply with international trade standards and Nigeria’s fiscal regulations. The agency has vowed to sanction any importer, exporter, or marketer found to be engaging in fraudulent or unethical practices.

He also disclosed that a joint monitoring task force comprising the NCS, NMDPRA, NNPC Retail, and other security agencies will soon be deployed to major depots and border corridors to track the movement of petroleum products in real time. This task force will rely on digital tracking systems and data-sharing platforms to ensure accuracy and eliminate discrepancies in fuel distribution records.

The Customs Service’s new approach represents a shift from reactive enforcement to proactive monitoring. Rather than waiting for infractions to occur, the agency intends to identify and prevent breaches before they can impact the market. Adeniyi maintained that with improved inter-agency coordination and technology-driven oversight, Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector can finally achieve the level of transparency and accountability that has long eluded it.

As Nigeria moves towards greater energy independence, the Customs Service’s role in protecting the integrity of the petroleum supply chain will remain critical. By addressing issues of smuggling, diversion, and product adulteration, the Service aims to support the federal government’s effort to stabilise fuel prices, secure revenue, and build investor confidence in the downstream sector.

With a renewed focus on discipline, technology, and collaboration, the NCS is positioning itself as a central player in the reform of Nigeria’s energy sector. The ongoing sanitisation of the downstream petroleum industry is expected to yield long-term economic benefits, reinforcing national energy security and ensuring that the country’s resources serve the interests of its citizens.