₦airaland Forum

The Nigeria Customs Service has shed light on the continued smuggling of petrol across the country’s borders, despite the elimination of fuel subsidies.

According to the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the practice remains attractive to smugglers due to the stark difference in fuel prices between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries.

Speaking during the service’s first quarter performance briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday, Adeniyi noted that “Despite the removal of the fuel subsidy, it is still profitable for smugglers to take fuel illegally from Nigeria. You know that the prices are dynamic.”

He further explained that although Nigeria has ended its subsidy regime, the relatively lower pump price still incentivises illegal exportation of Premium Motor Spirit to countries like Cameroon, Niger, and the Benin Republic “Has remained profitable due to the price arbitrage”, he added.

Adeniyi highlighted that while the price of PMS within Nigeria ranges between N880 and N950 per litre, neighbouring countries are selling the same product for far higher amounts. “Is lower compared to around N1600 and N2000 per litre in Cameroon, Niger, and the Benin Republic,” he stated.

The Customs boss went on to stress that this significant price gap continues to fuel smuggling activities, even with some of these countries witnessing slight reductions in local fuel costs.

“While the price of the products is coming down to around N850 and N900 per liter in places like Cameroon, it is close to N2,000 per liter, in Niger, it is N1,600 per liter, and the same with the Benin Republic.”

In response to this ongoing challenge, Adeniyi said the NCS has initiated a special anti-smuggling operation. “This arbitrage provides the incentive. That is why we launched the operating Whirlwind,” he said.

Donald7610:
Life is better here to other West African countries

Racoon:
Fuel subsidy is still being paid by the government. The smugglers are part of the government - the subsidy cabal.

Racoon:
Fuel subsidy is still being paid by the government. The smugglers are part of the government - the subsidy cabal.

MEEVEET:
So if Nigeria is not paying subsidies again so why stop people from transporting petrol to other African countries?

This explanation makes no sense

Something is cheaper in your country but you are stopping your people from selling it to other countries?

iwaeda:
https://punchng.com/why-fuel-smuggling-thrives-despite-subsidy-removal-customs/

nairalandadeux:
Nope..if it was, fuel would be dirt cheap, around 300 or less.

And people would still not be rushing to get licences for refineries.

Subsidy era is over. Other African countries have expensive fuel because they don't produce crude at the level we do

Angelfrost:
Seun, Las Las, many us will simply stop making comments on this forum.

While I understand the need to sanitize your site, you can't tell me it's too much of a big deal to properly train an A.I or bot to selectively weed out negativity or deeply offensive posts and visitors.


Well, maybe you are tired of running and owning the forum.

It's nothing personal to me anyway, but over 6 bans in less than 2 days is unacceptable and speaks of deliberate hushing.


I say this because of what I heard is being done secretly by powers that be to quiet social media voices in Nigeria as 2027 approaches.

Might be a rumor, might not be...!

Fiscus105:
You re the one to purge urself from insult and uncouth language.

Angelfrost:
Lol... I don't use insults and uncouth language.

Maybe you are confusing me for someone else... I didn't join this forum yesterday.

I know what I write about... And, I know a government agenda when I see one.

Please, don't argue with me.

I have delivered my message to the owner of the site... What he does or doesn't do with it is neither my headache nor yours.

Fiscus105:
Many of you have nothing to contribute but to insult and attack, with no logical reason to proof your point.

Fiscus105:
I repeat myself, learn how to comment without insult, scam or "adult pic

Holybaddo:
I thought fuel was more expensive in Nigeria compared to other countries. Nah him be say we dey enjoy 😂😂😂

TooMuchStuff:
Whaat ??
Na so profits dey plenty for dis business