The TinCan Island Port, Nigeria’s second-busiest port, is echoing with success stories since Comptroller Frank Onyeka took the helm as Customs Area Controller in December 2024. His innovative approach, stakeholder engagement, and unwavering commitment to excellence have contributed to transform the port’s landscape.
Onyeka’s implementation of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), aka B’Odogwu, has streamlined cargo clearance, reducing delays and increasing transparency. Over 3,400 Single Goods Declarations were filed under the new system in just six months of 2025. His focus on stakeholder engagement has fostered strong relationships with freight forwarders, terminal operators, and shipping companies, promoting trade facilitation and compliance.
The results are impressive: ₦1.6 trillion in revenue in 2025, surpassing the benchmark, ₦1.524 trillion target set for the year by 25%. The impressive outings have continued into year 2026 as Comptroller Onyeka has already announced a revenue figure of.₦145.93 billion for the month of January 2026, an increase of ₦29.5 billion, representing an increase of 25% when compared to ₦116.41 billion realized within the same period in 2025.
Onyeka’s commitment to combating smuggling has yielded ₦8 billion in seized illicit drugs, earning him commendations from the Customs Consultative Committee.
Only recently, the command also announced another seizure of 1x40ft container of Cannabis Indica with an estimated street value of Four Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Two Million Naira (₦4,732 billion), lending credence to a relentless onslaught against snuggling and illicit drugs trade using the TinCan Island Port.
As Nigeria diversifies its economy, Onyeka’s leadership offers a shining example. His blend of technology, collaboration, and enforcement has transformed TinCan Island Port into a model for Customs operations nationwide. He’s roaring for greater achievements, aiming to sustain and surpass the port’s enviable records.
Meanwhile, he acknowledges that these giant strides and remarkable achievements are the result of collective collaboration of staff and officers of the command decided to honour deserving officers with awards for outstanding performance as encouragement for greater commitment and improved productivity
It is clear that Onyeka’s revolution goes beyond numbers, as the command has achieved 100% network infrastructure coverage, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient processing of cargo and trade documentation.
With the Nigeria Custom Service, NCS, set for the launch of the paperless operations come Q2 2026, Onyeka’s vision is set to further boost efficiency, having expressed the resolve and willingness to champion the introduction of the NCS 100% paperless operations.