By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified efforts to curb the smuggling of vegetable oil into the country as part of measures aimed at protecting local investments, preserving jobs, and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a meeting with stakeholders in the vegetable oil industry held at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi said the Service would deploy intelligence-driven special operations to combat the illegal importation of vegetable oil products, stressing that the NCS remains committed to tackling smuggling through strategic enforcement, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with stakeholders.
According to him, Customs and operators in the vegetable oil sector share a common goal of safeguarding legitimate businesses, encouraging investment, and strengthening the national economy.
The Customs boss noted that addressing smuggling requires sustained cooperation between government agencies and the private sector, particularly in sectors that play a critical role in job creation and economic development.
He urged stakeholders to support enforcement efforts by providing credible intelligence on smuggling routes and 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,” Adeniyi said.
Also speaking, 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 Customs recorded 65 seizures of vegetable oil products in 2025 and an additional 23 seizures in 2026, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of about N1.314 billion.
He said many of the seizures were made along major smuggling corridors, including Seme and Idiroko border routes, adding that surveillance operations would be intensified in other identified vulnerable locations.
Leading the industry delegation, Founder of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria, Dr. Fatai Afolabi, commended the NCS for creating a platform for dialogue and engagement with industry stakeholders.
Afolabi, however, stressed the need for stronger action against vegetable oil smuggling, warning that the illicit trade undermines local production, discourages investment, and threatens thousands of jobs across the value chain.
He called for sustained collaboration between Customs and industry operators to protect the sector and promote the growth of domestic production.
