By Bon Peters
LAGOS/Nigeria: The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port Command, has announced a staggering revenue haul of ₦747,079,233,259.91 for the first half of 2025—representing 98.03% of its target and marking a 29.85% surge from the same period last year.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oscar Ivara, in Lagos on Thursday. The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, attributed the performance to operational reforms, strengthened enforcement, and improved stakeholder engagement at the busy Lagos port.
Compared to the ₦575.36 billion generated in the first six months of 2024, the Command recorded a surplus of over ₦171.7 billion, reflecting the port’s growing efficiency and compliance by importers and agents. Monthly revenue from January to June 2025 consistently surpassed figures from the previous year, with a notable ₦145 billion collected in April alone.
Comptroller Onyeka further disclosed that the Command processed 3,450 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) under the newly introduced B’Odogwu clearance platform, successfully exiting 2,749 entries within the review period. He said the system’s rollout has been accompanied by stakeholder training and user support to ease transition and improve clearance times.
In its anti-smuggling operations, the Command recorded major seizures, including two 20-foot containers laden with hard drugs—cannabis indica and methamphetamine—worth over ₦8.05 billion. The items were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in what the Controller described as a “major blow to criminal networks exploiting the port.”
The Command also intercepted a 40-foot container conveying four used vehicles which, upon examination, was found to conceal a cache of arms and ammunition. Items recovered included two pistols, over 130 rounds of 9mm ammunition, blank rounds, empty magazines, handcuffs, and tactical gear. The consignment, alongside the importer and declarant, was handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.
“These seizures demonstrate our unwavering commitment to national security and collaboration with sister agencies in curbing the proliferation of arms and illicit drugs,” Onyeka said, reiterating the Command’s zero-tolerance policy on smuggling and concealed imports.
The Customs boss praised the collaborative efforts with the Nigerian Navy, DSS, and other security and regulatory agencies operating at the port. He added that the Command had deepened its engagement with terminal operators, shipping lines, licensed agents, civil society, and trade associations to improve port operations and policy implementation.
Comptroller Onyeka urged importers and agents to embrace honest declaration of consignments to aid trade facilitation and reduce clearance bottlenecks. He emphasized that transparency, compliance, and continuous engagement remain critical to sustaining the port’s rising performance.
He also commended the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who was recently elected Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council. Describing the appointment as “divine,” Onyeka said the achievement was a testimony to the CGC’s pedigree and commitment to reforming the Nigerian Customs Service.
“We remain grateful for the Comptroller General’s support, guidance, and vision which have propelled this Command to excellence,” Onyeka said.
As the Command enters the second half of the year, Comptroller Onyeka reaffirmed his commitment to promoting a business-friendly environment, securing the nation’s borders, and supporting economic growth through efficient port management and stakeholder collaboration.
