In a bold effort to reform operations at the Tin Can Island Port Command, the Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has intensified moves to instill trade compliance, enhance revenue generation, and stamp out entrenched sharp practices within the system.
Onyeka, who took over the reins in December 2024, is said to have taken decisive steps aimed at dismantling decades-long unethical practices that hinder trade facilitation. Speaking during a recent courtesy visit by the League of Maritime Editors (LOME), the Customs boss emphasized that his priority is achieving strict compliance to trade regulations without stifling legitimate business activities.
“We are determined to enthrone compliance without choking trade,” Onyeka stated, noting that compliance and trade facilitation are not mutually exclusive but must be pursued together to drive efficiency and accountability.
One of Onyeka’s earliest actions was a thorough scrutiny of operations at bonded terminals under the Command, with a focus on blocking revenue leakages and preventing illegal transfers of consignments. He disclosed that the command has curtailed incessant and unauthorized movement of goods from the mother port to external bonded terminals, a practice previously exploited for evading customs duties.
“Some of the bonded terminals had become weak links in our revenue collection chain, but we have placed stringent checks to ensure that only properly documented cargoes are allowed out,” Onyeka said. “Now, most documentation and examinations are handled at the mother port, and we have minimized avoidable transfers.”
He further explained that he does not approve any document that lacks authenticity, reiterating that national security and trade facilitation remain paramount.
Acknowledging the historical association of the Tin Can Port with smuggling activities, the Controller pledged zero tolerance for illegal imports including arms and narcotics. He said the Service is committed to improving valuation processes and ensuring no undercharging of duties.
“We will not allow smuggling to thrive under my watch. While promoting trade, we are equally focused on sanitizing the system,” he asserted.
Onyeka’s administration has also prioritized stakeholder engagement. Through regular sensitization meetings, he has continued to urge freight forwarders and importers to embrace honest declarations and avoid cutting corners.
A major relief for importers and clearing agents under Onyeka’s leadership has been the elimination of multiple alerts—a long-standing bottleneck that often delayed cargo clearance and added to logistics costs. The Controller introduced a one-stop-shop alert system, which has simplified clearance and enhanced operational speed.
The impact of these reforms is already evident in the command’s revenue performance. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the Tin Can Customs Command generated a total of ₦347.9 billion, surpassing the ₦304 billion collected in the same period last year by 12.6%.
January 2025: ₦116.41 billion (24.06% increase from ₦88.43 billion in Jan 2024)
February 2025: ₦103.25 billion (2.90% increase from ₦100.25 billion in Feb 2024)
March 2025: ₦128.27 billion (10.3% increase from ₦115.1 billion in Mar 2024)
With a 2025 revenue target of ₦1.524 trillion, Comptroller Onyeka expressed optimism about meeting the goal through sustained reforms and enhanced collaboration with stakeholders.
“The key message is that if everyone plays by the rules—honest declarations, timely documentation—we will not only ease trade but also create a thriving port environment that benefits all,” he concluded.
As Comptroller Onyeka continues to enforce discipline at Tin Can Port, industry stakeholders are watching closely, hopeful that his reforms will mark a turning point for the port and the nation’s customs operations.