Onyeka’s Tincan Command: Breaking Revenue Records, Deepening Reforms

 

Onyeka’s Tincan Command: Breaking Revenue Records, Deepening Reforms

When Comptroller Frank Okechukwu Onyeka assumed duty as Customs Area Controller of Tincan Island Port (TCIP) nine months ago, many wondered whether he could sustain the high bar set by his predecessor, Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) Dera Nnadi, mni.

The questions have since been answered. Under Onyeka’s watch, Tin Can has not only sustained its momentum but has surpassed expectations, rewriting revenue records and reshaping operations at Nigeria’s second-busiest port.

Record-Breaking Revenues

In late August, the Command posted a historic milestone, generating ₦16.4 billion in a single day, the highest in its history. For Onyeka, it was not just about the numbers but a validation of reforms.

“This reflects the game-changing role of technology and teamwork in modernising port operations,” he said.

In the first half of 2025, the Command raked in ₦747.08 billion, nearly 30% higher than the ₦575.36 billion collected in the same period of 2024. By June, it had already achieved 98% of its half-year target.

Month after month, collections rose steadily: ₦116.4 billion in January, ₦103 billion in February, and ₦145 billion in April—signalling operational efficiency and improved compliance. Civil society groups have credited the Customs leadership with “closing leakages, boosting transparency, and aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The B’Odogwu Effect

At the centre of the transformation is the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), popularly known as B’Odogwu. Rolled out earlier this year, the platform integrates Customs processes into a single, seamless interface.

The benefits have been immediate—fewer bottlenecks, faster payments, and real-time clearance. More than 3,400 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) have been filed under the system, with stakeholders trained to adapt.

“Before now, delays and system downtime were routine frustrations. Today, B’Odogwu has given us speed, predictability, and accuracy,” Onyeka told journalists.

Securing the Borders

Beyond revenue, Tin Can has stepped up its enforcement role. In the first half of the year, officers intercepted drugs worth ₦8 billion, including cannabis indica and crystal methamphetamine weighing over a metric tonne.

Another major seizure involved a 40-foot container that concealed pistols, live ammunition, and other weapons. The cache was handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS).

“These seizures remind us that Customs is not just about trade and revenue, but about protecting the nation and its people,” Onyeka said.

Dialogue and Transparency

Onyeka has also prioritised stakeholder engagement, holding regular interactive forums with terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and government agencies. Media transparency has equally become a hallmark, with journalists regularly briefed on developments at the Command.

Leadership and Vision

Despite the accolades, Onyeka consistently credits Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for laying the foundation for reforms. He also attributes Tin Can’s success to the professionalism of his officers.

“Our strength lies in the competence of our men and women. We must remain vigilant, committed, and innovative,” he said.

Looking Ahead

As Nigeria intensifies efforts to boost non-oil revenue, Tin Can’s performance under Onyeka offers a model for what effective leadership, technology adoption, and collaboration can achieve.

“Revenue is important, but our real mandate is broader: to facilitate trade, safeguard our borders, and create a port environment that supports Nigeria’s economic growth,” Onyeka affirmed.

With records already broken and reforms deepening, Tin Can Island Customs Command appears set to remain a pace-setter in Nigeria’s maritime trade.