By Peace Udugba
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to intensify efforts against the smuggling of vegetable oil into the country through intelligence-driven special operations aimed at safeguarding local investments, preserving jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday, June 5, 2026, during a meeting with stakeholders in the vegetable oil industry at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to combating smuggling through strategic enforcement measures, intelligence gathering, and stronger collaboration with industry stakeholders.
He noted that Customs and operators in the vegetable oil sector share a common goal of protecting legitimate businesses, attracting investment, and boosting the national economy.
According to him, addressing smuggling effectively requires sustained cooperation between government agencies and the private sector, especially in sectors that play critical roles in employment generation and economic development.
He urged stakeholders to support enforcement efforts by providing credible intelligence on smuggling routes and other illicit trade activities.
“Fighting smuggling is a continuous process that requires intelligence, policy support, and collaboration. We value constructive engagement with stakeholders and will continue to strengthen our partnership with the private sector,” he said.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, highlighted the Service’s achievements in curbing the illegal importation of vegetable oil products.
Bomodi disclosed that the NCS recorded several seizures across major border corridors, assuring stakeholders that surveillance operations would be intensified in vulnerable locations.
“We recorded about 65 seizures of vegetable oil products in 2025 and another 23 seizures in 2026, with a combined Duty Paid Value of approximately N1.314 billion,” he said.
He added that many of the seizures were made along major smuggling routes, including Seme and Idiroko border corridors, while surveillance would be strengthened in other identified flashpoints.
Speaking on behalf of industry operators, the Founder of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria, Fatai Afolabi, commended the Customs Service for creating a platform for dialogue and engagement.
Afolabi stressed the need for stronger measures to curb the smuggling of vegetable oil into Nigeria, warning that the illicit trade undermines local production, discourages investment, and threatens thousands of jobs across the value chain.
“Smuggling of vegetable oil undermines local production, discourages investment, and threatens thousands of jobs across the value chain,” he stated.
