Newly promoted Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Frank Okechukwu Onyeka, has bowed out as Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Island Port Command after overseeing record-breaking revenue collection, major anti-smuggling successes and sweeping operational reforms that repositioned the Command as one of the Service’s leading trade gateways.
In an emotional farewell speech delivered during the official handover ceremony on Friday, ACG Onyeka reflected on what he described as a challenging but highly rewarding journey at the helm of the Command.
“It is with deep gratitude to Almighty God and a profound sense of fulfillment that I formally hand over the leadership of this great Command,” he stated while addressing officers, stakeholders and partner agencies.
During his stewardship, the Tincan Island Port Command generated a remarkable ₦1.609 trillion in revenue for the 2025 fiscal year, surpassing its assigned target of ₦1.524 trillion. The Command also recorded over ₦401 billion revenue collection within the first quarter of 2026.
According to Onyeka, the achievements were driven by discipline, intelligence-led operations, improved compliance strategies, strong stakeholder engagement and modern trade facilitation systems aimed at balancing enforcement with legitimate commerce.
Beyond revenue generation, the outgoing Controller highlighted major breakthroughs in anti-smuggling operations, particularly the interception of illicit drugs and prohibited items with an estimated street value exceeding ₦35 billion.
He said the seizures reinforced the role of Customs as a critical national security institution committed to combating transnational organised crime and protecting Nigerians from the dangers of illicit trade.
“Our efforts underscored our collective resolve to safeguard the health, security and future of our society,” he noted.
Onyeka also stressed the importance of collaboration in achieving operational success, revealing that his administration maintained extensive engagement with freight forwarders, terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, exporters and other stakeholders across the port environment.
He explained that the sustained interactions improved operational efficiency, strengthened compliance and enhanced dispute resolution mechanisms within the Command.
The newly promoted ACG further highlighted investments in human capital development, including training programmes, workshops and professional capacity-building initiatives for officers and men of the Command.
According to him, the strength of every institution lies in the competence and preparedness of its workforce.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), noting that the association’s humanitarian and family-support programmes played an important role in boosting morale and welfare within the Customs community.
The former CAC used the occasion to express appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, describing his leadership as visionary and transformational.
He credited the CGC’s reform-driven agenda for repositioning the Nigeria Customs Service towards greater professionalism, transparency and national relevance.
Onyeka equally thanked the management team, officers and men of the Tincan Island Command for their loyalty, sacrifices and unwavering support throughout his tenure.
“Together, we faced operational challenges with courage and determination, and together, we built a Command that continued to stand tall within the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.
Handing over to the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani, Onyeka expressed confidence in his successor’s competence and leadership capacity.
He urged officers, stakeholders and members of the trading community to extend the same cooperation and goodwill to the new Controller in order to sustain and surpass the achievements already recorded by the Command.
As he assumes his new responsibilities as Assistant Comptroller-General, Onyeka assured that he would remain available for guidance and support whenever required.
“Tincan Island Port Command will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to take pride in its progress and accomplishments,” he declared.
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