Customs Pledges Stronger Trade Support as Renaissance Africa Deepens Energy Investments
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade and supporting compliant businesses, saying the growth of lawful enterprises remains critical to Customs’ success and Nigeria’s economic development.
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 on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.
The Customs chief pledged the Service’s continued partnership with the energy company in its efforts to expand investment, strengthen energy security and contribute to national economic growth.
Congratulating Renaissance Africa on the successful completion of its corporate transition, Adeniyi said the company’s progress had demonstrated the ability of Nigerians to effectively manage and grow strategic national assets.
He dismissed the perception in some quarters that Customs was established to frustrate businesses, stressing that the Service’s role was to facilitate lawful trade while carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
According to him, the growth of legitimate businesses ultimately benefits the Customs Service and the wider economy, making trade facilitation an important part of the agency’s operations.
“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 added that ongoing reforms being implemented under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) were helping to improve the ease of doing business and create a more efficient environment for investors and compliant traders in Nigeria.
Adeniyi also encouraged Renaissance Africa to complete the requirements for participation in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme.
While acknowledging that the qualification and certification process for the programme was rigorous, the CGC said it offered substantial benefits to businesses with a strong record of regulatory compliance.
He assured the company that Customs would continue to address legitimate trade bottlenecks and provide lawful support to businesses that fulfilled their regulatory obligations.
Earlier, Maichibi said Renaissance Africa assumed operations in March 2026 following the acquisition of the onshore assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company.
He explained that the company was pursuing a long-term vision of securing energy for the future through investments spanning the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas value chain.
According to him, effective collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service is crucial to the company’s efforts to meet production targets and achieve its long-term investment objectives.
Maichibi commended the Service for the support extended to Renaissance Africa, particularly in the areas of approvals, professionalism, transparency and digitalisation of Customs processes.
“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 Africa delegation also praised the NCS for its ongoing trade facilitation reforms, describing the AEO certification process as rigorous, transparent and efficient.
They said the continuous engagement of Customs officers, improvements in digital processes and operational support across Commands had strengthened regulatory compliance and enhanced the company’s operational efficiency.
The delegation added that the reforms had also reinforced Renaissance Africa’s confidence in Nigeria’s evolving trade and investment environment.
The meeting underscored the growing emphasis by the Nigeria Customs Service on balancing its revenue and enforcement responsibilities with trade facilitation as the Federal Government seeks to attract investment, improve the business climate and promote sustainable economic growth.
