Jun 10, 2026

Customs Launches Special Operations Against Vegetable Oil Smugglers

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in business

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Abuja, June 10, 2026— The Nigeria Customs Service has declared a fresh war on vegetable oil smugglers, unveiling plans for intelligence-driven special operations to shield local producers, protect thousands of jobs, and safeguard investments in the country’s agricultural sector.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the disclosure on Friday, June 5, during a high-level meeting with vegetable oil industry stakeholders at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

He said the Service is stepping up enforcement to curb the illegal importation of vegetable oil, which continues to undermine local manufacturing and threaten livelihoods across the value chain.

“Fighting smuggling is a continuous process that requires intelligence, policy support and collaboration,” CGC Adeniyi stated. “We value constructive engagement with stakeholders and will continue to strengthen our partnership with the private sector.”

Protecting Local Investments and Jobs

The Comptroller-General explained that Customs and vegetable oil operators share a common goal: protecting legitimate businesses, encouraging investment, and strengthening Nigeria’s economy.

He stressed that sustained cooperation between government agencies and the private sector is essential, especially in sectors that generate significant employment and drive economic growth.

Adeniyi urged stakeholders to support enforcement efforts by providing credible intelligence on smuggling routes and illicit trade activities.

Record Seizures Signal Stronger Push

Deputy Comptroller-General Timi Bomodi, who oversees Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, highlighted recent successes in the fight against vegetable oil smuggling.

He disclosed that Customs recorded approximately 65 seizures in 2025 and another 23 seizures in 2026, with a combined Duty Paid Value of about **N1.314 billion**.

“Many of these seizures were made along major smuggling corridors, including Seme and Idiroko,” Bomodi said. He assured stakeholders that surveillance would be intensified in other vulnerable locations across the country.

Stakeholders Demand Tougher Action

Leading the industry delegation, Dr. Fatai Afolabi, Founder of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria, commended the Customs Service for creating a platform for dialogue.

However, he drew attention to the damaging impact of smuggling on the local economy.

“Smuggling of vegetable oil will undermine local production, discourage investment and threaten thousands of jobs across the value chain,” Afolabi warned.

A Human Cost Behind the Numbers

Behind the seizure statistics are real stories of struggling farmers, factory workers facing layoffs, and investors hesitant to expand because cheap smuggled products flood the market.

Vegetable oil production supports entire communities — from oil palm farmers in the South to processing plants and distribution networks across the country.

When smugglers undercut these legitimate businesses, the ripple effects touch families who depend on the sector for their daily bread.

By launching targeted, intelligence-driven operations, the Nigeria Customs Service aims to level the playing field, revive confidence in local production, and ensure that Nigerians who invest in agriculture and manufacturing can compete fairly.

The Service has pledged to maintain close collaboration with industry players as it rolls out the new special operations in the coming weeks.

The meeting signals a renewed commitment by both government and the private sector to protect Nigeria’s economic interests and secure the future of its agricultural value chain.