By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it collected the sum of N747.079 billion as revenue for the first half of 2025.
According to the Customs Area Controller, Compt. Frank Onyeka, this figure represents an approximate growth of 29.85 per cent over the same period of 2024, just as the command has achieved 98.03 per cent of its expected revenue collection for half-year 2025.
The figure also indicated a remarkable surplus of N171.719 billion over the N575.359 billion collected in the first half of 2024, a statement from the Command Public Relations Officer, Oscar Ivara, cited Compt. Onyeka to say.
Month-by-month, Onyeka said the command generated N116.41 billion in January, up from N88.43 billion in the same period of 2024; and N103.25 billion in February, as against the N100.25 billion in the corresponding period of 2024. According to him, from March to May 2025 exceed the command’s monthly revenue target of N127. 05 billion.
In March, the command collected N128.27 billion as against N115.10 billion in 2024; April had N145.02 billion, compared to N95.70 billion in the same month of 2024, while N128.44 billion was collected in May, compared to the N92.67 billion collected in May 2024.
In June 2025, the command generated N125.68 billion, surpassing the N83.2 billion figure for the corresponding period of last year.
Speaking on the recently implemented trade platform, said the command received 3,450 Single Goods Declarations under the Bodogwu clearance system, processed and exited 2,749 entries.
He added that the command had organised several online and physical trainings and workshops since its implementation began, to provide firsthand knowledge to all stakeholders on the operating system.
Moreover, a total of 282 vessels called at the command in the first quarter of the year, with import tonnage of mixed cargoes.
Meanwhile, TCIP Command also made significant progress in safe-guarding against unwholesome and illicit trade, including prohibited drugs, arms and ammunition.
According to Compt. Onyeka, illicit drugs worth over N8. 05 billion were confiscated and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). They included a 2x20ft containers with a combined 1863 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing over 1,000 kilograms, and 97 packets of crystal methamphetamial.
Also discovered thorough physical and non-intrusive inspection examinations were arms and ammunition and other military equipment concealed in a 1x40ft container laden with four used vehicles.
Compt. Onyeka further disclosed that the command held a sustained engagement with diverse key partners in maritime and trade in its commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and collaboration.
According to him, these included terminal operators, captains of industries, government agencies operating at the port and beyond, customs licensed agents, international organisations, civil society groups and private sector representatives, among others.
The engagements, he explained, were designed to ensure that policies, reforms and operational changes were communicated and feedbacks received, while interactive sessions with captains of industries targeted attracting and enhancing trade benefits to the command.
Congratulating the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, on his recent appointment as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation Council and his unwavering support to the command, Onyeka described the development as divine.
