The Tin-Can Island Port has witnessed a significant downturn in the trafficking of contraband cargoes, marking a notable achievement in the ongoing efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to promote national security and economic integrity.
This development is aligned with the broader agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose administration has consistently emphasized border security, trade facilitation, and national economic growth. Through enhanced surveillance, strategic engagement, and a clampdown on illicit imports, the port has transitioned into a model of improved trade compliance and operational integrity.
Customs Area Controller of Tin-Can Island Port, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, who assumed office in December 2024, has built on the reforms instituted by his predecessor, ACG Dera Nnadi, mni. Under his leadership, the port has recorded a continuous decline in the inflow of prohibited goods, including hard drugs, arms and ammunition, counterfeit items, and other offensive imports.
A critical component of this success is the implementation of the Advance Ruling System and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme. Both trade tools—initially tested at Tin-Can Island—have contributed to a new ecosystem where compliant stakeholders enjoy expedited cargo clearance, anchored on trust and post-clearance audits.
At an event marking one year of the Advance Ruling System, CGC Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Niagwan, emphasized the importance of such frameworks in sustaining global commerce and empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He noted the pilot phase of the AEO programme saw the trade value of six participant companies rise from ₦185.8 billion in 2023 to ₦563.8 billion in 2024.
The AEO portal was officially opened to eligible operators on February 17, 2025, with reports indicating high levels of stakeholder compliance and enthusiasm.
Comptroller Onyeka, described as a committed administrator and firm decision-maker, has adopted a strategy centered on stakeholder engagement and inter-agency collaboration. His outreach has included major freight forwarding groups such as the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), as well as various security agencies including the Maritime Police, Nigerian Navy, DSS, and others.
“Process integrity discourages criminal trading tendencies, reduces operational time, and promotes professionalism between officers and the trading public,” Onyeka remarked during one of his stakeholder engagements.
One of the most notable achievements under his administration was the recent handover of illicit drug consignments worth over ₦8 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The seizures involved two 20-foot containers falsely declared as used vehicles and spare parts from Canada. One of the containers, intercepted in February 2025, contained 128 packets of Cannabis Indica with a street value of ₦414.37 million. The other, intercepted in December 2024, held 97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine and 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica, altogether valued at ₦8.05 billion.
In January 2025 alone, the command generated ₦116.4 billion in revenue, representing a 24.06% increase from the ₦88.4 billion recorded in the same period of 2024.
Industry analysts have attributed the decline in contraband to improved trade compliance and the Customs Service’s strengthened monitoring systems. Items that once topped the list of trafficked contraband—such as Tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups, Cannabis Sativa, and hard drugs like heroin—have seen a marked reduction at the Tin-Can Island Port.
The port’s success underscores the Customs’ evolving role in safeguarding national borders while facilitating legitimate trade. With Comptroller Onyeka’s sustained efforts and CGC Adeniyi’s forward-looking leadership, stakeholders believe the port is well-positioned to maintain its new trajectory of operational excellence, revenue generation, and enhanced national security.
As Nigeria continues to push for a stronger and safer trading environment, the Tin-Can Island Port stands out as a testament to what can be achieved through integrity, collaboration, and visionary leadership.