Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to supporting compliant businesses, telling Renaissance Africa Energy Limited that the Service views its role as facilitating legitimate trade rather than obstructing it. Adeniyi made the comments on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, when Renaissance Africa Energy’s management team, led by Vice President of Production Meshack Maichibi, visited NCS headquarters in Abuja.
Adeniyi congratulated Renaissance on completing its corporate transition, describing it as evidence that Nigerians are capable of managing and growing strategic national assets. He said the Service’s mandate is to enable lawful trade while still fulfilling its statutory responsibilities, and pointed to ongoing reforms under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) as part of a broader push to improve 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 said.
He encouraged Renaissance to complete the requirements for the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, acknowledging that the qualification process is demanding but noting the benefits it offers compliant traders. Adeniyi said the Service would continue working to remove legitimate bottlenecks facing businesses that meet their regulatory obligations.
Maichibi told the NCS that Renaissance took over operations in March 2026 following its acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company’s onshore assets, and said the company is building out investments across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas value chain as part of a longer-term energy security strategy. He said collaboration with Customs is important to meeting the company’s production and investment targets. “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.
Other members of the Renaissance delegation also praised the Service’s trade facilitation reforms, describing the AEO certification process as rigorous but transparent and efficient. They said continued engagement from Customs officers, improved digital systems, and operational support across different Commands have strengthened the company’s compliance efforts and its confidence in Nigeria’s trade environment.