By Chimezie Godfrey
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade and supporting compliant businesses, assuring Renaissance Africa Energy Limited of continued collaboration to promote investment, energy security and national economic growth.
Adeniyi gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the management of Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, led by its Vice President, Production, Mr. Meshack Maichibi, to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja.
Congratulating the company on the successful completion of its corporate transition, the Customs boss said Renaissance’s progress underscored the capacity of indigenous firms to manage and expand strategic national assets.
He maintained that the Service’s role was to facilitate legitimate trade rather than create obstacles for businesses, noting that reforms under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) were improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
”There is a misconception in some quarters that Customs exists to frustrate businesses. That is not who we are. When legitimate businesses grow, Customs also grows. Our responsibility is to facilitate lawful trade while carrying out our statutory mandate,” Adeniyi stated.
The Comptroller-General also encouraged Renaissance to complete the requirements for the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, describing it as a rigorous but rewarding initiative for compliant traders.
He assured the company that the Service would continue to remove legitimate trade bottlenecks and provide all lawful support to businesses that comply with regulatory requirements.
In his remarks, Maichibi disclosed that Renaissance Africa Energy Limited assumed operations in March 2026 following the acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company’s onshore assets.
He said the company was pursuing a long-term vision of strengthening Nigeria’s energy security through investments across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas value chain.
”The support we receive from the Nigeria Customs Service is exceptional. The speed of approvals, professionalism of officers, transparent procedures, and digitalised processes strengthen our operations. We maintain zero tolerance for duty evasion and look forward to sustained collaboration with Customs across all Commands as we work towards achieving our vision,” Maichibi said.
He added that members of the delegation also praised the Nigeria Customs Service’s trade facilitation reforms, describing the Authorised Economic Operator certification process as rigorous, transparent and efficient, while commending the Service’s digital transformation and operational support in enhancing compliance and improving the business environment.
Adeniyi Reaffirms Customs’ Support for Compliant Businesses, Seeks Stronger Partnership with Renaissance Africa
