The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has commended the Tincan Island Port Command for its stellar performance in the first quarter of 2025, following the Command’s impressive revenue generation of ₦347.9 billion between January and March.
This figure represents a 14.54% increase compared to the ₦303.79 billion generated during the same period in 2024—an indication of the Command’s strengthened operational strategies and commitment to curbing revenue leakages. The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed these figures during the Committee’s recent oversight visit to the port.
Onyeka noted that the Command’s Q1 revenue accounted for 91.2% of the quarter’s revenue target of ₦381.17 billion and 22.81% of the annual target set at ₦1.52 trillion. He attributed this growth to enhanced operational capacity, improved stakeholder collaboration, and stricter enforcement against illegal trade practices.
Highlighting enforcement achievements, Comptroller Onyeka revealed the interception of illicit drugs handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The seizure included 1,863 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 931.25 kg and 97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine, with a total street value of over ₦8 billion.
The Controller also emphasized the Command’s strong collaboration with key stakeholders, including customs agents, shipping companies, military and paramilitary agencies, and civil society groups. He said these partnerships have significantly boosted trade facilitation, port security, and operational efficiency through regular meetings, joint operations, and information sharing.
On capacity building, Onyeka stated that the Command had conducted various training sessions in Q1 focused on ethics, emotional intelligence, and best practices in cargo inspection and classification. These efforts aim to uphold international standards and foster a professional and efficient workforce.
Looking ahead, Onyeka assured that the Command would continue to build on its successes by ramping up administrative and operational efforts to maximize government revenue, plug leakages, and streamline port processes.
He expressed gratitude to the Committee members for their continued oversight and support, and to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and commitment to reforming the service.
Responding, the Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, lauded the Command for its professionalism and impressive revenue profile. He reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to fast-tracking bills related to customs reforms and pledged continued support to the Command and the Nigeria Customs Service at large.
The visit, according to the Committee, marks the sixth within an eight-month period—a testament to the strategic importance of Tincan Island Port in Nigeria’s economic landscape.