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.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical at the Tantita Security Services Ltd, will deliver the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) billed for June 10, 2026. Venue is the Conference Hall of the Mission To Seafarers, 29 Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
As stated in a release, Enisuoh will speak on the lead paper entitled, “The Youth and the Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Industry.”
Organised by Platforms Communications annually, the arrowhead, Sylvanus Obasi, says the AMSAY Conference has over the past decade evolved into a critical platform for youth advocacy, mentorship and stakeholders’-students engagement to discuss and proffer solutions to contemporary issues affecting the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, having consistently driven conversations around industry reforms, capacity growth, innovation and sustainable development.
With over two decades of global experience spanning maritime operations, aviation, and national security, Captain Enisuoh is widely regarded as a leading authority in maritime safety, shipping development, and infrastructure protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He holds a Master Mariner Class 1 Unlimited Foreign Going License, an Aircraft Pilot’s License, and a Diploma in Aviation. His academic journey includes training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Egypt; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Aviation College; and the Swiss Air Training Centre in Zurich.
Over the years, he has held strategic roles across continents, including eight years with Pacific International Lines in Singapore and six years with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He also served as a lecturer, instructor, course developer, and examiner at the Australian Maritime College.
In Nigeria, he contributed significantly to sectoral development during his tenure at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he served as Director of Maritime Safety and Director of Shipping Development.
Capt Warredi”s Keynote Speech will also feature a high-level panel discussion moderated by Captain Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Marine Surveyor and Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.
Panelists are drawn from diverse segments of the maritime industry, including regulators, shipowners, local content experts, technical professionals, legal practitioners, operators, and the academia as representatives from NIMASA, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, are expected to discuss the lead paper .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has called for deeper collaboration with maritime journalists as part of efforts to strengthen security within Nigeria’s port environment and support the growth of the nation’s maritime economy.
Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Speaking during the engagement, Onigbinde commended the Command for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s ports and other critical maritime assets, noting that security remains a key pillar for sustainable trade and economic development.
He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the maritime sector.
According to him, the media has a crucial role to play in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that impact the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
In her remarks, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the newly elected MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to the dissemination of credible information on developments within the maritime industry.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media would enhance public trust, improve security consciousness, and contribute to national economic growth.
The Commissioner noted that effective communication and timely information sharing are essential in addressing security challenges within the port ecosystem, stressing that the media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives.
She further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster productive partnerships aimed at advancing port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.
Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and revenue generation, making security within the maritime sector a matter of national economic importance. Stakeholders have consistently advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve operational efficiency.
The meeting concluded with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s pioneer maritime journalists’ body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate her brand new Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The high-profile event which is planned to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors will also feature discussions on strengthening ethical standards in maritime journalism.
The theme of the inauguration is “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”
The Chairman of the occasion is Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), while the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, a leading public relations and event management expert.
Special Guests of Honour expected at the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, leaders of maritime associations, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade. Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s journey towards deepening professionalism, credibility, and responsible maritime reportage.
The new executive council, he stated, will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement, and adherence to ethical journalism standards.
He noted that the theme of the event underscores the indispensable role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” he added.
Onigbinde further called on government agencies, industry operators, and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
Capt Warredi Enisuoh Set To Deliver Keynote Speech At 10th AMSAY Conference.
Ports Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.
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NIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
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Comptroller Anani Succeeds ACG Onyeka as Tincan Customs CAC, Pledges to Build on Lofty Achievements.
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Tantita Donates 15 Gun Boats to Nigerian Army, Navy.
ANLCA Harps on Responsible Reportage, Pledges Support for New MARAN Exco,
Tincan Customs, NDLEA Promise Hard Times for Drug Peddlers, Seize N16,694bn worth of Cannabis Indica .
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NPA Mourns her Ace Cameraman, Paul Erakhifu, alias “Texas”.
MARAN Elects Yinka Onigbinde As New President.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoTantita Donates 15 Gun Boats to Nigerian Army, Navy.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoREPORTER’S DIARY: How Lagos State Task Force Made Me ‘Igbobi Landlord’ For Filming Operatives Extorting Suspected ‘Okada’ Operators In Apapa*
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoCHANGE OF BATON at PTML Customs, Miko Replaces Joe Anani.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoComptroller Anani Succeeds ACG Onyeka as Tincan Customs CAC, Pledges to Build on Lofty Achievements.
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Maritime Agencies6 days agoNIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoPorts Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.
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Maritime Agencies3 days agoCapt Warredi Enisuoh Set To Deliver Keynote Speech At 10th AMSAY Conference.