Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a revenue collection of N747.07 billion for the first half of 2025, representing a remarkable 29.85% increase compared to the N575.35 billion generated during the same period in 2024.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists, describing the Command’s performance as a testament to operational efficiency and enhanced trade facilitation efforts.
According to Onyeka, the command’s revenue performance reflects 98.03% of its expected collection target for the first six months of the year. He noted that January alone brought in over N116.4 billion compared to N88.4 billion in January 2024. Similar increases were recorded throughout the period, with March to May 2025 generating N128.3 billion, N145.0 billion, and N128.4 billion respectively figures that surpassed both monthly targets and prior year earnings.
In June 2025, the Command raked in N125.7 billion, compared to N83.2 billion during the same month last year.
Comptroller Onyeka revealed that the Command successfully processed and exited 2,749 out of 3,450 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) under the recently adopted Bodogwu clearance system. He stated that various online and physical workshops had been held to train stakeholders on the workings of the system, enhancing clearance efficiency.
In the first quarter, the Command also received 282 vessels, with cargoes including bulk wheat, malt, sugar, aluminum nitride, and general goods.
On anti-smuggling efforts, the Command recorded major seizures in the first half of 2025, including a cache of illicit drugs valued at N8.05 billion, which was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The seizures included:
128 packets of Cannabis Indica
97 packets of crystal methamphetamine
1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica
— totaling over 1,000kg of narcotics.
Additionally, through physical and non-intrusive examinations, the Command uncovered arms and military-grade items** hidden inside a container of used vehicles. Recovered items included:
Two pistols (Rugger P345 and Austria GEN 4)
134 rounds of ammunition
Five empty magazines
Two handcuffs
One small torchlight
The recovered arms and the consignee were handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation. Comptroller Onyeka emphasized that these operations highlight the Command’s dedication to national security and inter-agency collaboration.
Reiterating the importance of partnerships, the Command engaged extensively with stakeholders—terminal operators, customs agents, government agencies, civil society, and international bodies—to ensure smooth policy communication and reforms implementation. These collaborations, Onyeka said, are already yielding positive results.
He also lauded the recent election of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, describing the achievement as “divine” and a major boost to global customs leadership from Nigeria.
Comptroller Onyeka expressed gratitude to all Customs officers, stakeholders, and business operators at the port, urging officers to continue displaying professionalism and courage in service delivery.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to fostering a conducive trade environment and upholding national security.