By Peace Udugba -The daily torch
The Customs Area Controller of Nigeria Customs Service at Tin Can Island Port, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has declared 2026 as a defining year for trade facilitation at the nation’s second-largest seaport, positioning the Command firmly as a driver of seamless commerce.
Speaking during a media parley on Tuesday, Onyeka expressed confidence that the Command would surpass its 2025 performance, unveiling an ambitious roadmap focused on improving trade efficiency, enhancing transparency, sustaining impressive revenue growth, and strengthening collaboration with the media and other stakeholders.
He revealed that revenue collection for January 2026 recorded a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025. According to him, the Command generated ₦145.9 billion in January 2026, up from ₦116.4 billion in January 2025 — a growth of nearly ₦30 billion.
The Controller attributed the strong performance to teamwork within the Command, cooperation from stakeholders, and constructive engagement with the media. He noted that the press continues to play a vital oversight role by highlighting operational gaps and prompting timely corrective actions.
Looking ahead, Onyeka said the Command would intensify efforts on trade facilitation, assuring importers and licensed customs agents of faster and more efficient cargo clearance procedures. He disclosed plans to fully deploy a paperless cargo processing system designed to eliminate unnecessary physical interactions and accelerate port operations.
He commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service and its Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for driving ongoing modernization initiatives and providing strategic direction that is transforming Customs operations nationwide.
Reaffirming his open-door policy, Onyeka urged stakeholders to seek direct engagement with the Command to address concerns rather than resort to speculation or misinformation, stressing that transparency and dialogue remain central to sustained progress.
Responding to questions, he emphasized that modern Customs officers operate with advanced technology and in line with global best practices. While acknowledging occasional network disruptions and technical hitches, he assured that infrastructure upgrades are underway to guarantee smoother digital processes.
He further clarified that the Command now prioritizes “collectible revenue” over “maximum revenue,” explaining that while government revenue remains critical, importers must retain sufficient margins to manage logistics costs, sustain operations, and preserve jobs after meeting their duty obligations.
On cargo processing, the Controller explained that properly declared and palletized consignments are now cleared more swiftly through scanning systems without physical examination, thereby reducing delays and minimizing corruption risks. However, shipments flagged by risk management systems or originating from watch-listed locations will continue to undergo physical inspection in the interest of national security.
He added that continuous engagement with stakeholders across the logistics value chain would remain a priority throughout the year to further reduce cargo dwell time and enhance the overall trading environment at Tin Can Island Port.
Onyeka concluded by assuring journalists that the Command remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, operational efficiency, and support for Nigeria’s economic growth.
