Tin Can Customs to Go Fully Paperless in Q2 2026, Targets Trade Efficiency and Revenue Growth – Onyeka
LAGOS, Feb. 18, 2026 — The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the ,Tin can Island Port Command , Frank Onyeka, has announced plans to commence a historic 100 per cent transition from paper documentation to paperless operations by the second quarter of 2026.
Onyeka made this known on Tuesday during a media parley held at the Command’s conference room, where he sought continued collaboration with journalists to ensure the successful implementation of the new regime.
“You started supporting me through your constructive reportage as soon as I resumed here as the Customs Area Controller of this Command. I am here again to seek your continued collaboration to ensure the success of the paperless regime that we shall soon embark on,” he said.
The CAC explained that the initiative aligns with global best practices and modern business processes, noting that the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) is committed to innovation and trade facilitation.
A valuation expert, Onyeka said he is prepared to champion the reform in line with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashiru Adewale Adeniyi. He expressed confidence in the workability of the paperless system, drawing parallels with the successful rollout of the B’Odogwu platform despite its initial teething challenges.
Addressing concerns about potential resistance or sabotage of the proposed National Single Window (NSW) Project — a platform designed to coordinate activities across the logistics and supply chain ecosystem — Onyeka maintained an optimistic outlook.
“I am very optimistic of the effectiveness and success of the NSW in helping to bring about predictability and efficiency,” he said, adding that while no system is perfect, professionals must continuously modernise and innovate to achieve better efficiency.
The Tin Can Island Port Command, regarded as the nation’s second busiest and one of the highest revenue-generating commands, recorded ₦145.9 billion in revenue in January 2026, compared to ₦116 billion in the corresponding period of 2025 — reflecting an increase of over ₦29 billion.
Onyeka stressed that beyond revenue growth, the Command is focused on facilitating legitimate trade and eliminating delays.
“This year, we shall act as trade enablers. Files will not be unnecessarily kept, and we shall collect collectable revenues and not maximum revenue,” he stated.
He also highlighted the operationalisation of the One-Stop-Shop (OSS), a newly introduced Customs platform that centralises valuation, inspection, and compliance processes into a unified digital workflow. According to him, the OSS will address bottlenecks and resolve issues that may arise during cargo clearance, replacing fragmented procedures with a streamlined system.
The CAC further pledged to deepen strategic engagement with the media and other stakeholders, promising improved welfare support and capacity-building initiatives for journalists covering the maritime sector.
He reiterated that collaboration and transparency remain critical to achieving the Command’s mandate of trade facilitation, anti-smuggling enforcement, and sustainable revenue generation.
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