By George Ozalla
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to facilitating legitimate trade and supporting compliant businesses, assuring Renaissance Africa Energy Limited of sustained collaboration to promote investment, energy security and national economic growth.
Adeniyi gave the assurance when the management of Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, led by its Vice President, Production, Meshack Maichibi, paid a courtesy visit to the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.
He congratulated the company on the successful completion of its corporate transition, describing the development as evidence that Nigerians have the capacity to manage and expand strategic national assets.
The Comptroller-General said the NCS was established to facilitate lawful trade while carrying out its statutory responsibilities, dismissing the notion that the Service exists to frustrate businesses. He added that ongoing reforms under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) are improving the ease of doing business in the country.
“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 said.
He encouraged Renaissance Africa Energy Limited to complete the requirements for the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, noting that although the qualification process is rigorous, it offers substantial benefits to compliant traders.
Adeniyi assured the company that the NCS would continue to remove legitimate trade bottlenecks and provide all lawful support required for businesses that meet regulatory obligations.
Earlier, Maichibi said Renaissance Africa Energy Limited assumed operations in March 2026 following the acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company’s onshore assets.
He explained that the company is focused on securing energy for the future through investments across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry, adding that collaboration with the NCS remains vital to achieving its production targets and long-term investment objectives.
“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.
Members of the Renaissance delegation also commended the NCS for its trade facilitation reforms, describing the Authorised Economic Operator certification process as rigorous, transparent and efficient.
They noted that continuous engagement by Customs officers, improved digital processes and operational support across Commands have strengthened compliance, enhanced operational efficiency and reinforced the company’s confidence in Nigeria’s evolving trade environment.
