By Bon Peters
LAGOS/Nigeria: The Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Port Command, Lagos, has announced a remarkable revenue haul of over ₦747 billion in the first half of 2025, representing 98.03% of its projected target for the period.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oscar Ivara, and made available to journalists on Thursday in Lagos. The release noted that the revenue figure of ₦747,079,233,259.91 marks a 29.85% increase over the ₦575.3 billion recorded in the same period in 2024—a surplus of over ₦171.7 billion.
Comptroller Frank Onyeka, Customs Area Controller of the Command, attributed the revenue growth to strategic operational reforms and robust stakeholder engagement. He detailed a steady increase in monthly collections between January and June, with the command consistently surpassing its monthly benchmark of ₦127 billion.
In January, ₦116.4 billion was collected, rising to ₦145 billion in April and ending with ₦125.7 billion in June—an improvement over ₦83.1 billion recorded in June 2024. The upward revenue trend coincided with increased cargo throughput and efficiency gains through the Command’s adoption of the B’Odogwu clearance platform. According to Onyeka, 3,450 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) were processed under the new system, with 2,749 successfully exited.
On anti-smuggling operations, Onyeka disclosed that the Command intercepted illicit drugs valued at over ₦8 billion, including cannabis indica and crystal methamphetamine concealed in 20-foot containers. The total haul weighed over 1,000kg and was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In a separate operation, Customs operatives uncovered a cache of arms and ammunition hidden inside a 40-foot container carrying four used vehicles. Recovered items included two pistols, 134 rounds of 9mm ammunition, handcuffs, empty magazines, and other military equipment. The seized items, along with the consignee and declarant, were handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS).
The port also saw significant vessel activity, with 282 ships calling at Tin Can in the first quarter of 2025, delivering bulk cargoes including wheat, sugar, malt, and industrial materials.
To maintain a conducive business environment, Comptroller Onyeka emphasized sustained collaboration with terminal operators, government agencies, captains of industry, customs agents, and civil society. He said the interactive sessions were designed to attract trade, receive feedback, and improve policy execution.
The Customs boss also praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PSC(+), on his recent appointment as Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, calling it a “divine elevation” and a boost to global confidence in Nigeria’s customs administration.
Onyeka concluded by reaffirming the Command’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and national security while urging stakeholders to ensure honest declarations and full compliance with customs regulations.
