President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to extend the tenure of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, by one year is more than a routine administrative gesture—it is a resounding endorsement of transformative leadership and tangible progress within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Announced on July 31, 2025, by presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga, the extension reflects not just political trust but a clear acknowledgment of Adeniyi’s impact on national economic revitalization, customs modernization, and institutional reform.
Comptroller Frank Onyeka
Reforms that Reshaped the System
Since assuming office in an acting capacity in June 2023—and becoming substantive CGC just months later—Adeniyi has steered the NCS through a wave of structural and technological reforms. At the heart of this transformation is the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, a homegrown digital solution that redefines how Nigeria processes, monitors, and facilitates international trade.
This shift away from foreign systems has significantly cut cargo dwell time, slashed importers’ turnaround time, and brought logistics costs down—ushering in a new era of faster, more efficient, and competitive port operations.
Tin Can Island Port: A Beacon of Progress
Among the leading lights of this reform agenda is the Tin Can Island Port Command (TCIP)—a strategic nerve center of Nigeria’s maritime trade. Under the leadership of Comptroller Frank Onyeka, who took over from the dynamic Dera Nnadi (now Assistant Comptroller General), the command has embraced Adeniyi’s blueprint with focus and precision.
Between December 2024 and July 2025, Tin Can Island achieved a remarkable trifecta: revenue growth, improved trade facilitation, and enhanced national security.
Revenue: Stronger Performance, Stronger Economy
In just seven months, the TCIP Command generated a staggering ₦747.1 billion—a 29.85% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This haul represents 98.03% of its revenue target, underscoring a culture of fiscal discipline and strategic enforcement. The implications are vast: more funds for critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare—without relying on excessive borrowing.
Trade Facilitation: Innovation Meets Execution
Onyeka led the deployment of B’Odogwu, streamlining cargo clearance and drastically minimizing human interference. The system processed 3,450 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs), with 2,749 containers successfully exited in July alone—an indicator of greater transparency and throughput.
The integration of the Customs Intelligence Unit and Valuation Unit also boosted accuracy in cargo assessments, while targeted stakeholder forums with terminal operators, freight forwarders, and regulatory agencies strengthened compliance and cooperation.
Security: A Command on High Alert
Security has not taken a backseat. In the first half of 2025, TCIP seized over ₦8 billion worth of illicit drugs, including 23 packages of heroin, large volumes of cannabis sativa, and dangerous synthetic strains like Colorado. These busts, many in partnership with the NDLEA, also included arms, ammunition, and other contraband.
These efforts not only safeguard Nigerian society but send a powerful signal to international investors: Nigeria is serious about secure, rules-based trade.
CSR and Community Impact: Customs Cares
Beyond enforcement and revenue, the Command is also shaping lives. In July 2025, under the Customs Cares Initiative, Tin Can Island renovated and equipped Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Lagos, impacting over 2,000 students. Educational materials were distributed to thousands more, reinforcing the NCS’s commitment to inclusive development.
Building Trust and Global Competitiveness
Through open dialogue and collaborative reforms, the Command has helped improve Nigeria’s ranking in global assessments like the Logistics Performance Index and Ease of Doing Business Index. These achievements position Nigeria as a rising logistics hub in West Africa—more attractive to foreign trade partners and investors.
Looking Ahead: Raising the Bar
With one of Nigeria’s most critical customs ports under his command, Comptroller Onyeka is not only executing Adeniyi’s reform agenda—he’s amplifying it. His expertise in valuation, classification, and ICT continues to drive innovation in port management.
As Nigeria edges further into the second half of 2025, the expectation is clear: Tin Can Island will deliver even more.
Higher customs revenue. Better trade facilitation. Stronger border control. Lower inflationary pressure. And a gradually stabilizing naira.
Conclusion: A Vote of Confidence for the Future
President Tinubu’s vote of confidence in CGC Adeniyi is not just a nod to past successes—it is an investment in continued progress. Under Adeniyi’s visionary leadership and Onyeka’s on-the-ground execution, the NCS is positioning itself as a catalyst for economic resilience, trade growth, and national stability.
And with the Tin Can Island Port Command leading the charge, the Customs Service is not just keeping pace with change—it’s driving it.
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