By Joy Onu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting compliant businesses, saying companies that operate within the law remain key partners in its trade facilitation drive.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said Customs would continue to remove legitimate trade bottlenecks while enforcing existing regulations, insisting that the agency’s role is to facilitate lawful commerce rather than hinder business activities.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, Adeniyi made the remarks during a meeting with officials of Renaissance Africa Energy Limited at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.
He also encouraged the indigenous energy company to complete the requirements for the Nigeria Customs Service’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, saying businesses that meet the certification standards enjoy faster cargo clearance and other trade facilitation benefits.
Adeniyi said reforms introduced under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) were improving Nigeria’s business climate, adding that the Service would continue to support companies that comply with Customs laws.
“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,” he said.
The Customs boss also congratulated Renaissance Africa Energy Limited on completing its corporate transition after acquiring the onshore assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company, describing the development as proof that Nigerian companies can successfully manage strategic national assets.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Vice President, Production, Meshack Maichibi, said Renaissance took over operations in March 2026 and is investing across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry to strengthen Nigeria’s energy sector.
He described the Nigeria Customs Service as a dependable partner, citing faster approvals, transparent procedures, digitalised operations and professionalism among officers as factors that have improved the company’s operations.
Maichibi said the company maintains zero tolerance for duty evasion and would continue to work closely with Customs to achieve its production and investment targets.
Other members of the delegation also commended the Service’s trade facilitation initiatives, saying improved digital processes, operational support across Customs Commands and the transparent implementation of the AEO programme have strengthened compliance and increased investor confidence.
