By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
It was a night of prestige and celebration at the 28th edition of the Maritime Industry Merit Awards (MIMA), held on March 30, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, as leading stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime sector gathered to honour outstanding industry performers.
Stealing the spotlight was Frank Okechukwu Onyeka, Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, who clinched two of the most coveted awards of the night—Most Outstanding Customs Area Controller in Revenue Generation and Most Outstanding Customs Area Controller in Anti-Smuggling.
Popularly referred to as a “revenue guru,” Onyeka secured a landslide victory, polling over 90 percent of more than 4,000 votes in both categories, reflecting strong industry endorsement of his leadership and performance.
Since assuming office in December 2024, Onyeka has overseen a remarkable transformation of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Nigeria’s second-largest port. His administration has been marked by a strategic blend of innovation, discipline, and stakeholder engagement.
Within weeks of his appointment, the Command generated ₦1.256 trillion by the end of 2024. The upward trajectory continued into 2025, with ₦347.7 billion recorded in the first quarter alone, while the Command posted ₦128.4 billion in May and ₦154 billion in October. In a standout performance, ₦16.4 billion was generated in a single day in August using the B’Odogwu system.
By the end of 2025, the Command had recorded a total revenue of ₦1.609 trillion, surpassing its ₦1.5 trillion target by over ₦85 billion and exceeding the previous year’s performance by more than ₦400 billion—an unprecedented milestone in the Command’s over four-decade history. The momentum has continued into 2026, with January alone generating over ₦146 billion.
Beyond revenue generation, Onyeka has also intensified the fight against smuggling and illicit trade at the port, which has long been considered vulnerable due to its high cargo volume.
Under his leadership, the Command recorded major seizures, including consignments of Cannabis indica and crystal methamphetamine valued at over ₦5.5 billion in October 2025, additional narcotics in November 2025, and a 40-foot container loaded with Cannabis indica worth over ₦4.7 billion intercepted in February 2026. In total, seizures exceeding ₦15 billion have been recorded and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for prosecution.
Industry observers say Onyeka’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy has significantly curtailed smuggling activities, repositioning the port as a more secure and efficient trade hub.
Born on March 13, 1968, Onyeka hails from Delta State and has built a distinguished career since joining the Nigeria Customs Service in 1991. He has served in several strategic commands, including Seme Border, Apapa, and Onne, earning recognition for his expertise in valuation, tariff systems, and trade facilitation.
Known for his firm “no-compromise” stance alongside a business-friendly “no-choking” policy, Onyeka has also contributed to capacity building within the Service and supported professional development initiatives, including those for maritime journalists.
His double honour at MIMA 2026 underscores a rare combination of administrative efficiency and enforcement strength, reinforcing his growing influence within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
As the sector continues to evolve, Onyeka’s leadership is increasingly seen as a benchmark for balancing trade facilitation with national security, setting a new standard for public service delivery in the maritime space.
