The House of Representatives has pledged continuous support for the Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) following the Command’s impressive revenue of ₦347,935,672,475.50 billion generated in the first quarter of 2025.
In a statement signed by Oscar Ivara, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, the HoR Committee on Customs, led by Chairman, Hon. Leke Abejide, made the pledge when they recently paid a visit to the Command.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Abejide commended the Command for manifesting professionalism in the revenue collection and assured them of the continued support and cooperation of the Committee.
He recounted that the Committee had visited the Command more than 6 times and was quite impressed with its revenue profile.
Mr. Abejide stated that the Committee is working assiduously to ensure that any bill relating to the NCS presented before the green chamber is granted speedy hearing.
He lauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for the groundbreaking achievements recorded since his assumption in office.
On his part, Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka said that the Command has demonstrated exceptional growth, operational efficiency, and a continued commitment to safeguarding national interests in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.
Comptroller Onyeka disclosed that the Command generated a total sum of ₦347,935,672,475.50 billion in the Q1 of 2025, marking a significant improvement compared to the same period in 2024, which saw a revenue collection of ₦303,791,379,473.67 billion.
“The difference of ₦44,144,293,001.87 billion highlighted the remarkable growth and the effectiveness of the Command’s revenue generation strategies, reinforcing her commitment to driving economic development through improved operations and propelling a zero tolerance for revenue leakages,” he said.
He noted that the revenue generated had an increase of approximately 14.54% compared to the same period in 2024.
On the seizures made thus far in 2025, Comptroller Onyeka informed the lawmakers that the Command recently transferred illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) which included a combined total of 1,863 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 931.25 kilograms, and 97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine, all discovered in 2x20ft containers with a total street value of over ₦8,053,125,000.
“These achievements underscore the Command’s dedication to combatting illegal activities and ensuring that national security is upheld,” the Comptroller stated, stressing that the Command maintains an excellent working relationship with cross sections of critical stakeholders, ranging from Customs Licensed Agents, Shipping Companies Executives, the Armed Forces and Para-Military Agencies, as well as Civil Society Organisations.
He affirmed that the collaborative efforts have played a crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency, security, and the overall safety of the port, maintaining that the regular meetings, joint operations, and knowledge-sharing initiatives have further strengthened “our collective ability to address security concerns and boost trade facilitation”.
In the area of capacity building, Onyeka acknowledged that the Command has recognised the importance of continuous professional development for her officers and men.
“As part of our commitment to fostering a highly skilled and ethical workforce, the Command had organised a series of training programs in the first quarter with key topics such as integrity, emotional intelligence in the workplace, and effective inspection and clearance classification procedures.
“These training initiatives have empowered our officers with the necessary tools to perform their duties with the utmost professionalism, ensuring that the port operates seamlessly and in full compliance with international standards,” he explained.
The Tin Can Customs boss assured that the Command will step up its administrative and operational capacity in the upcoming quarters of 2025, emphasising that the Command is fully committed to ensuring the maximum collection of revenue for the government, effectively addressing any revenue leakages, and continuing to optimise its processes.
He further mentioned that the Command will continue to engage proactively with stakeholders, working collaboratively to enhance the revenue profile of the port and ensure that it plays a vital role in supporting national economic objectives.
Onyeka expressed gratitude to the members of the Committee for their visit, stating that it was a testament to their commitment to national development.
He also praised the continued support of Comptroller Adeniyi and his management team, as well as the critical stakeholders for their commitment to fostering a secure, efficient, and profitable operational environment at Tin Can Island Port.
