By Hyacinth Nwafor
The proposed rollout of paperless customs operations slated for the second quarter of 2026 took centre stage yesterday as the Area Controller of the Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, engaged senior maritime journalists on the command’s level of preparedness and reform strategy.
At the interactive session held at the command, Onyeka said the media was the first of several critical stakeholders to be engaged ahead of the transition, underscoring the role of informed reportage in shaping understanding and confidence around the new regime.
Reflecting on his stewardship so far, the Area Controller acknowledged the support of the maritime press, noting that constructive engagement had helped stabilise operations since his assumption of duty. He appealed for sustained collaboration to ensure the success of the paperless initiative.
Reviewing performance, Onyeka disclosed that the Tin-Can Island Command generated over N609 billion in 2025, pointing to a steady rise in monthly collections. January 2025 revenue of about N116 billion, he said, rose to N145 billion in January 2026, representing an increase of nearly N30 billion.
Going forward, Onyeka said the command intends to “do things differently,” stressing that its identity would be anchored on trade facilitation rather than bureaucratic bottlenecks. “We want to be known as a trade enabler,” he declared, adding that the ultimate goal was to release containers seamlessly without physical interface.
He attributed the reform momentum to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whom he described as a quiet but firm pillar behind ongoing modernisation efforts. Onyeka pledged full alignment with the Comptroller-General’s objectives, insisting that he wanted to be known as “a trade facilitator personified.”
While acknowledging potential network challenges, the Area Controller expressed confidence in the capacity and professionalism of officers at the command, describing them as disciplined and forward-looking. He dismissed fears that the paperless system could be easily circumvented, saying Customs officers now operate under global best practices and digital accountability frameworks.
On congestion concerns, Onyeka explained that the paperless process would be driven by accurate online declarations. Once data is properly uploaded and scanned images are clear, consignments would be released promptly, with one-stop interventions applied only where discrepancies are detected.
He clarified that the command’s focus is on collecting “collectible revenue” rather than pursuing maximum revenue at the expense of trade, aligning the approach with the economic philosophy of the Bola Tinubu administration. However, he warned that consignments flagged by risk management systems would still be subjected to full examination.
Onyeka assured stakeholders that national security would not be compromised, noting that Customs remains alert to high-risk trade routes and sources of uncustomed goods. He added that engagements with sister agencies at the Tin-Can Island Port would be intensified to shorten clearance timelines, reduce cargo dwell time and ensure that the paperless promise translates into tangible gains for Nigerian trade.