Customs Deepens Collaboration with Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Operators


The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Command, has strengthened its partnership with enterprises operating within the zone as part of efforts to enhance trade facilitation and boost government revenue.

Comptroller Immaculata Nyong, Customs Area Controller, disclosed this after a three-week operational tour of facilities and enterprises between 29 July and 19 August 2025.

The tour covered major operators including Seplat Energy, ESSO Exploration and Production Nigeria (FZE), TotalEnergies, Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), West African Container Terminal (WACT), Technip FMC Nigeria Ltd, Baker Hughes, One Subsea Offshore Systems Ltd, Intels Nigeria Ltd, Oil Tools Africa Ltd, Titan Tubular Nigeria (FZE), Hamilton Technologies Nigeria Ltd, and Brawal Oil Service Ltd (FZE).
Nyong, who was accompanied by senior command officers and officials of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, engaged stakeholders through operational briefings, facility inspections, and discussions on regulatory compliance.

She explained that the exercise aimed at strengthening collaboration with industry players, ensuring adherence to extant laws, promoting legitimate trade, and consolidating revenue generation for the Federal Government.

“Trade facilitation cannot be achieved in isolation. Our goal is to build synergy with enterprises in the Oil and Gas Free Zone, address concerns, and sustain an enabling environment for businesses to thrive,” Nyong stated.


While several operators commended the NCS for its openness and sustained engagement, some raised concerns over operational challenges, particularly issues linked to the B’Odogwu clearance system.

In response, Compt. Nyong assured stakeholders of the Service’s readiness to tackle bottlenecks and improve efficiency in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ mandate. She added that the command would maintain regular engagements with operators to ensure seamless operations and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional oil and gas logistics hub.

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