The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has stepped up regulatory oversight of aviation catering operations, inspecting two major service providers, LSG Sky Chefs Things Remembered and Newrest, to strengthen compliance with relevant Customs laws and regulations.
The inspection exercise, conducted on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, was led by the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Habib Hassan, as part of efforts to enhance operational monitoring, promote regulatory compliance and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders across the aviation supply chain.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Misbahu Bala, the Command said the visits were aimed at familiarising Customs officials with the operational processes of the two companies and reinforcing adherence to applicable regulations while facilitating legitimate business activities.
During the visits, Hassan emphasised the importance of understanding the operational procedures of aviation catering providers to improve compliance monitoring and foster effective engagement between the Service and industry operators.
“We are here to familiarise ourselves with your operations and to ensure that you comply with the relevant Customs laws and regulations,” he said, while thanking the management teams of both companies for their reception and cooperation.
At LSG Sky Chefs Things Remembered, the delegation was received by the company’s Chair, Mrs Adeola Omikunle, who reaffirmed its commitment to complying with Customs regulations.
The visit featured a guided tour of the company’s warehouse and production facilities, providing Customs officials with firsthand insight into its operations and the processes involved in delivering aviation catering services.
At Newrest, the delegation was welcomed by Deputy Unit Manager Bernard Alese, who represented the Unit Manager and briefed the team on the company’s operational activities.
Alese disclosed that Newrest currently provides catering services to six airlines: Qatar Airways, Anap Jet, British Airways, Air Peace, Lufthansa and Ethiopian Airlines.
According to the statement, the visits provided an opportunity for the Command to gain a better understanding of the companies’ operations, strengthen communication with their management teams and reinforce the importance of sustained regulatory engagement.
The Command said the willingness of both service providers to cooperate with Customs officials underscored the importance of collaboration in promoting transparency, accountability and compliance within the aviation catering sector.
Bala reiterated that continuous engagement with aviation service providers remains essential to effective regulatory oversight, the facilitation of legitimate business and the fulfilment of the statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He added that sustained cooperation between the Service and industry stakeholders would support compliance and contribute to more efficient aviation catering operations.
