Maritime Agencies
Sustained High Revenue: Tincan Customs Command Under Comptroller Onyeka A Test Case.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
On a particular Tuesday, late August, the Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service generated a mouth-watering revenue of N16.4 billion. To industry observers, this is a monumental feat in revenue collection, the first of its kind in the annals of the Command.
For Comptroller Frank Onyeka who took over the headship of the Command about a year ago, this achievement in revenue generation on a particular day is significant . It is more than a numerical victory. This he attributed to “the game-changing role of technology and teamwork in modernising port operations.”
On the possibility of surpassing his predecessor’s attainment in this regard, Comptroller Onyeka quickly referred to God’s grace and the willingness of stakeholders who are showing increasing commitment to collaborate. This is even as many wonder if the bar could get higher for revenue generation, trade facilitation following the massive infrastructure restructuring at the Command under the erstwhile Customs Area Controller, now DCG Deraa Nnadi.
Particualar mention must be made of the “technology” being referred to here which is the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) also known as B’Odogwu, a platform that has been quietly revolutionising how cargo is cleared at Nigeria’s busiest ports for maximum benefit.
A COMMAND ON THE RISE
Revenue generation has always been the barometer of Customs’ performance. Under Onyeka’s watch, Tincan Island Port Command has not just hit targets, it has smashed them.
In the first half of 2025, the Command raked in N747.08 billion, nearly 30 percent higher than the N575.36 billion it collected during the same period in 2024. In fact, by June, the Command had already achieved 98 percent of its expected target for half of the year.
Month after month, the figures told the same story of growth. January brought in N116.4 billion, February crossed N103 billion, and by April, collections peaked at N145 billion. Each number stood not just as a financial tally but as evidence of operational efficiency and an increasingly transparent revenue ecosystem.
Civil society networks and trade analysts are quick to applaud the surge. A coalition of civil society groups even issued a statement crediting the Customs leadership’s reforms for “closing leakages, boosting transparency and aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
THE B’ODOGWU EFFECT
At the heart of this transformation lies B’Odogwu, the new digital backbone of port operations. Rolled out earlier this year, the system integrates all Customs processes into one seamless interface. For freight forwarders and licensed Customs agents, it has meant fewer bottlenecks, faster payments, and real-time clearance.
“Before now, delays and system downtime were routine frustrations. Today, B’Odogwu has given us speed, predictability, and accuracy,” Onyeka told journalists during one of his regular press briefings.
In just six months, more than 3,400 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) were filed under the new system. To ensure a smooth transition, the Command organised a series of online and in-person trainings for stakeholders—from terminal operators to shipping companies.
The results are tangible. Importers now move cargo with fewer delays, and Customs can track shipments more accurately, reducing the scope for under-declaration or fraud.
GUARDING THE BORDERS
Comptroller Onyeka’s success story is not only about revenue. It is also about enforcement. In the first half of the year, Tin Can Command recorded several high-profile anti-smuggling breakthroughs.
Two containers were intercepted carrying illicit drugs worth more than N8 billion, including cannabis indica and crystal methamphetamine, collectively weighing over a metric tonne. The contraband was promptly handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In another operation, a 40-foot container supposedly loaded with used cars concealed a cache of weapons: pistols, live ammunition, blank rounds, empty magazines, and handcuffs. The discovery, made possible through a mix of physical inspection and non-intrusive scanning, underscored the Command’s vigilance. The arms, along with the implicated consignee and declarant, were handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS).
“These seizures remind us that Customs is not just about trade and revenue. It is about security—about protecting the nation and its people from threats at the borders,” Onyeka stressed.
DIALOGUE AND TRUST
Central to Onyeka’s administration is stakeholder engagement. Recognising that ports function is an ecosystem, he has prioritised inclusive dialogue with terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders and government agencies.
Regular interactive forum with captains of industry have created space for candid conversations on operational challenges and reforms. Feedback is actively sought, ensuring that policy changes are not imposed but co-created with those they affect.
The Command has also made media transparency a hallmark of its operations. Journalists are frequently briefed, and press forums organised, keeping the public informed about both successes and challenges. For port users long accustomed to opacity, this openness is a refreshing change.
LEADERSHIP AND INSPIRATION
While Comptroller Onyeka’s name has become synonymous with efficiency at Tin Can Command, he is quick to defer credit to his boss, Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was recently elected Chairman of the World Customs Organisation Council. Describing the victory as “divine,” Onyeka praised Adeniyi’s leadership, reforms, and unwavering support, which he said provided the foundation for Tin Can’s successes.
He has also repeatedly reminded his officers that the Command’s achievements are a product of their professionalism and bravery. “Our strength lies in the competence of our men and women,” he said. “We must remain vigilant, committed, and innovative.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As Nigeria intensifies efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen non-oil revenue, the performance at Tincan Island Port offers a glimpse of what is possible. With technology like B’Odogwu redefining trade facilitation, robust enforcement keeping smugglers in check, and a leadership style that prizes collaboration, Tin Can is fast becoming a model for Customs operations nationwide.
Yet, for Onyeka, the numbers and headlines are not the end goal. “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,” he posited.
In a sector long dogged by inefficiency and opacity, that vision feels both ambitious and necessary. If recent achievements are anything to go by, Tin Can Island Customs Command may well be setting the pace for a bold new era in Nigeria’s maritime trade.
Maritime Agencies
MAN, Oron, Pushes Actualization of Her Mandate Beyond Nigeria, Seeks Strategic Partnership with Liberia Maritime Training Institute
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s foremost maritime education and training institution, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has entered a strategic partnership with the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) and the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) as part of efforts to actualize her statutory mandate within Nigeria, West and Central Africa and beyond.
Under the proposed partnership endorsed during a study tour and landmark engagement in Liberia, February 23 to 27, 2026, the specialized training instructions are to establish a lecturer- exchange programme in Maritime Education and Training (MET), resource-sharing and maritime operations in the sub-region. Also involved is the promotion of courses offered by both institutions on each partner’s communications platform including their websites. Liberian youths are to be trained at the Academy. Placement of MAN cadets onboard Liberian-flagged vessels for sea-time training and training of Liberian Ports State Control officers at the Academy in collaboration with the Abuja MoU on Ports State Control will also take place.
In his remarks, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Governing Council Chairman, Engr Kehinde Olayinka Akinola described the visit as part of the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen regional maritime cooperation andbinstitutional capacity. It also aimed at enhancing global best practices while positioning Nigeria as a hub of maritime operations in the subregion.
”This visit majorly underscores the Federal Government of Nigeria’s commitment to advancing maritime education and international best practices in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for the Marine and Blue Economy sector. The proposed agreement will strengthen sub-regional cooperation and fast-track collective growth within the blue economy sector.”
He further noted with satisfaction LiMA’s well-structured maritime administration system, strong adherence to global maritime conventions, and commitment to competitiveness within the international maritime community.
In his presentation, the Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Kevin Okonna reaffirmed the Academy’s dedication to continually develop highly skilled and competent seafarers capable of competing with their counterparts around the globe.
The Academy’s competent workforce, he emphasized, state-of-the-art training facilities and enhanced curricula have positioned the institution as one of the best maritime education and training institutions in the world. He aligned the Academy’s remarkable strides with the visionary policy direction of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.
According to him, the partnership will open new pathways for knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration and practical training that will benefit cadets, instructors and maritime operators across the sub-region.
Dr. Okonna said: “We acknowledge and recognise Liberia for its significant stance in the global maritime community, particularly as a nation with the world’s largest merchant ship fleet/tonnage and as a Category ‘A’ member of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). ”
“This partnership reflects our shared vision to build a new generation of highly skilled and globally competitive seafarers through collaboration, innovation, and capacity development. It would enable both institutions to leverage each other’s strong points to enhance the quality of MET and capacity building for lecturers and cadets,” he added.
In his response, the Deputy Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Mr. John F. Harvey welcomed the Academy’s delegation, noting that partnership between the two countries was a welcome development that will serve as a model for other regional collaborations.
While reaffirming his organisation’s unwavering commitment to maritime development, he described the proposed collaboration between MAN, Oron, LMTI, and LiMA as a major step towards strengthening regional maritime cooperation.
”Let me reaffirm our unwavering commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships that would enhance maritime education and training excellence and professional development of our cadets,” he said.
Other officials of the Liberian Maritime Authority who added their voices expressed profound admiration for a well articulated and insightful presentation by the Academy’s delegation, noting that the presentation showcased the Academy’s institutional capacity, strategic direction and commitment to excellence.
The partnership initiative is expected to chart new pathways for strategic collaboration in a lot of areas, foster innovation, maintain maritime training excellence, deepen capacity-building initiatives, strengthen research partnerships and promote cross-border knowledge/culture transfer.
The Nigerian delegation further undertook a guided tour of the top-notched marine engineering training facilities of the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) and were treated to a beautiful parade display by the cadets of the LMTI.
Top on the Academy’s delegation were the Chairman of the Governing Council, Engr. Kehinde Akinola; Acting Rector, Dr. Kevin Okonna; Council Members: Hon. Faisal Halidu, Hon. Samuel Isichei, Mrs. Hussaina Inja, Hon. Shegu Maigari. Some members of the Academy’s Management included the Director, Research and Strategic Development, Dr. John Adeyanju, Ag. Registrar, Mr. P. M. Netson and Ag. Bursar, Mr. Anthony Ambi.
Capt Sunday Umoren, Secretary- General, Abuja MoU which partners the Academy in PSCO Courses, Senior Assistant Registrar (Rectorate) Mr. Ime Morgan, Senior Lecturer (Marine Engineering) Mr. Hope Inyang and the Academy’s Image Manager, Domo Umoekpe, also participated in the Study Tour.
The Study Tour was facilitated by Marshall Shield, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa and Mr. Steve Ujah.
Maritime Agencies
NPA’s 2025 Operational Performance Report Validates FG’s Economic Diversification Initiatives.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The comprehensive port modernization project being championed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is designed to overhaul ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, rehabilitate quays, expand cargo-handling capacity while deploying advanced digital solutions across Nigeria’s port network. The initiative is expected to improve vessel turnaround time, reduce cargo dwell time, enhance safety standards, and significantly boost operational efficiency across all terminals.
The 2025 Operational Performance Report released by the NPA says
Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded a historic surge in activity in 2025, driven by increased cargo throughput, rising container traffic, and a growing export footprint, a development that underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to economic diversification.
The report revealed that total cargo throughput surged by 24.8 percent, rising from approximately 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025.
As stated by an elated Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the growth being witnessed reflects one of the most significant annual increases in Nigeria’s maritime history.
The milestone, he says, strengthens the country’s position as a more competitive and strategic player in regional and global trade.
While imports continue to dominate overall cargo traffic, the report highlights a steady rise in outward trade, with exports accounting for 39.0 percent of total cargo throughput. Inward traffic represented 59.2 percent, and transshipment contributed 1.8 percent. Analysts view the growth in export volumes as a direct validation of the Federal Government’s economic diversification initiatives aimed at reducing dependence on crude oil and promoting non-oil sector exports.
Containerized cargo, a key indicator of export trade activity, grew significantly. Total container traffic increased by 25.7 percent, surpassing 2.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Of this, export containers grew by 3.1 percent, while import-laden containers surged by 32.8 percent. The report also noted a remarkable 205.8 percent increase in transshipment containers, signaling Nigeria’s emergence as a pivotal regional logistics and trade hub.
The report identified Lekki Port as the leading port in Nigeria, handling 40.6 percent of the nation’s total cargo throughput. Onne Port followed with 19.1 percent, and Apapa Port handled 16.7 percent.
In addition to volume, Lekki Port attracted the largest vessels in 2025 with an average Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly higher than Onne Port at 53,022 GRT. Apapa and Tin Can Island Port received ships averaging 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT, respectively, while Delta Ports handled vessels averaging 17,414 GRT.
The report underscores a structural shift in vessel traffic: although Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest frequency of ship arrivals accounting for 22.7 percent of total ship calls Lekki and Onne are increasingly receiving the industry’s “heavyweight” vessels, enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to handle larger, more valuable cargoes.
Overall, total ship calls rose by nearly 12 percent to 4,477 vessels, reflecting broad-based growth across all operational metrics. Liquid bulk cargo, including fuel and chemicals, remained the dominant commodity at 54.7 percent, while containerized cargo accounted for 24 percent. Analysts note that the increasing size and sophistication of vessel traffic, coupled with container growth, points to a maritime sector gradually aligning with global shipping standards.
The report also highlights the rising importance of transshipment cargo, particularly for containerized goods destined for other West and Central African ports. The 205.8 percent surge in transshipment containers positions Nigeria as a strategic regional hub, attracting international shipping lines and increasing revenue for the Nigerian Ports Authority.
“This is a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem,” maritime analysts say. “The growth in exports and transshipment reflects the success of policy reforms aimed at reducing reliance on oil revenues, while enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports in regional trade.”
With the nation’s ports showing resilience and dynamism, the report reinforces the Federal Government’s efforts to expand non-oil exports, attract investment into port infrastructure, and integrate Nigeria more fully into global supply chains.
As Nigeria continues to welcome larger vessels and diversify its cargo base, the 2025 NPA report positions Lekki Port and the broader port network as central to the country’s economic diversification strategy, regional trade prominence, and global maritime ambitions.
Looking ahead, Dantsoho expressed confidence that the next phase of growth will be driven by the Federal Government–approved bold port modernization programme and the implementation of the National Single Window system.
Maritime Agencies
Dedication To Service Earns NIWA’s Engr Sarat Braimah the Nelson Mandela Pan African Leadership Award.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engr Sarat Lara Braimah has been bestowed with an award by a Ghana-based organization, Stay Africa Youth Development Initiative (SAYDI). The Nelson Mandela Pan African Leadership Award is in recognition of her hard work and dedication to national service.
Dominic Mensah, President of the Accra, Ghana-based organisation, formally present the award to her in Lagos, Wednesday.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mensah stated that the Nigerian chapter of SAYDI nominated Engr Braimah following the positive transformation recorded at the NIWA Lagos Area Office since she assumed office.
He highlighted her promotion of students and youth empowerment, support for the Executive Governor of Lagos State’s zero tolerance for nepotism and favouritism, commitment to teamwork and selfless leadership style that reflects African moral values.
He added that her career progression serves as an inspiration to young Africans, particularly women aspiring to build careers in the maritime sector.
“Our core objective is to identify tomorrow’s leaders today by inspiring and educating young people in Africa to remain on the continent and contribute to its sustainable development across all fields of human endeavour.
“This is where mentorship becomes essential. We seek out achievers like you who have risen through the ranks to inspire other young Africans to stay back and contribute to the growth of the continent,” Mensah said.
During the presentation to Engr Braimah, Ambassador Mensah also announced her automatic induction into the Pan African Leadership Hall of Fame as an amazon of nation- building in Africa.
In her appreciation remarks, Engr Braimah expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that although she had not previously encountered the organisation, she strongly aligns with its vision.
She stressed that Africa can only grow and prosper when young people commit themselves to hard work and selfless service.
“I want to sincerely thank you for this award, which I do not take for granted.
“It will inspire me to do more for my organisation, Nigeria, and Africa’s maritime development. I believe in and encourage teamwork and dedication. Therefore, this award is dedicated to my superiors in Abuja and to all those who work tirelessly, sacrificing time with family and friends, to support me here in Lagos as Area Manager. I pray that many young people will remain focused and give their best to Nigeria and indeed Africa,” she stated.
MAN, Oron, Pushes Actualization of Her Mandate Beyond Nigeria, Seeks Strategic Partnership with Liberia Maritime Training Institute
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