H1 2025 revenue: Tincan Customs generates ₦747bn surpasses 2024’s ₦575bn

…282 vessels received in 6 months

…Hands over illicit drugs worth over N8bn to NDLEA

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced a remarkable revenue collection of N747,079,233,259.91 for the first half of 2025, representing a 29.85% increase from the N575,359,447,011.23 recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. This impressive performance is equivalent to 98.03% of the command’s half-year revenue target.

The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka making the disclosure said the figure indicated a remarkable surplus of N171,719,786,247.68 when compared to the first half of 2024.

Onyeka said the command recorded substantial revenue growth in each month from January to June 2025, with peaks in April statement. That in January 2025, the Command generated the sum of N116,412,735,766.23 as against N88,430,128,122.76 in the same period of 2024, while in the month of February, the Command recorded a total of N103,254,292,293,823.23, above that of the previous year which stood at N100,253,187,122.76.

He went on to explain that the months of March to May 2025 witnessed an increase in its revenue with the collections of N128,266,643,816.08, N145,020,168,704.83, N128,446,323,224.79 respectively. Figures quoted above he said also showed an increase when compared to the Command’s expected monthly revenue target of N127, 055,833,289.88 and those of March to May 2024 which stood at N115,108,066,256.20, N95,703,614,360.55, N92,671,603,418.04 respectively.

In a release signed by OE vara, Public Relations Officer of the command,the month of June 2025 generated a total of N125, 679,068,853.75, surpassing the figure recorded in corresponding period of the previous year which stood at N83, 192,847,758.97.

Further to that, in the first half of the year, the Command received 3,450 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) under the new Bodogwu clearance system and has successful processed and exited 2,749 entries. He noted that since the innovation and its successful implementation, the Command had organized several online and physical trainings and workshops to provide firsthand knowledge to all stakeholders on the operations of the system.

Continuing, he further disclose that a total of 282 vessels reported at the Command in the first quarter of the year, with import tonnage comprised of Bulk cargoes such as bulk wheat, , bulk malt, lab chemical, drilling rods, bulk sugar, aluminum nitride, general cargoes among others.

On anti-smuggling activities, the Area Controller pointed out that the Command recorded significant progress in its drive towards safe-guarding the nation and her citizens from the threat of unwholesome items through the arrest and subsequent handover of illicit drugs, Arms and Ammunition.

Compt. Onyeka handing over illicit drugs to NDLEA

According to Compt. Onyeka, the Command confiscated and successfully handed over illicit drugs worth over N8, 053,125,000.00 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). This feat was achieved through the timely interception of 2 x 20ft containers of which were separately found to contain 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, 97 packets of crystal methamphetamial, and 1,735 packet of Cannabis Indica with a combine total weight of over 1,000 kilogram.

He further mentioned that with thorough physical and Non-Intrusive inspection examinations, the Command uncovered Arms and Ammunition and other military equipment concealed in a 1x40ft container which was conveying Four (4) used vehicles. The items recover includes the following:

i. Rugger P345 Pistol Reg. No. 664 – 75425

ii. 23 GEN 4 Austria Pistol Reg. No. TO 6252

iii. 100 Rounds of live Ammunition of 9mm

iv. 34 Rounds of blank Ammunition of 9mm

v. 4 Rounds of Blank Ammunition

vi. 5 empty Magazines

vii. 2 Handcuffs

viii. One small iron touch light.

To ensure proper hardling of the items, the Customs Area Controller handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS), Tincan Island Port Command, alongside the consignee and the declarant.

According to Comptroller Onyeka, these handover exercises underscores the commitment of the Command to uphold and promote National Security by safeguarding National Borders against the influx of hard drugs and proliferation of small arms and light weapons, as well as promoting inter-agencies collaboration with all security agencies operating in the port.

Compt. Onyeka with stakeholders

On stakeholders engagements, the Controller remarked that the Command has also demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and collaboration through sustained engagement with a diverse range of key partners in the maritime and trade ecosystem.

Some of the stakeholders so engaged include terminal operators, captains of industries, Government agencies operating at the port and beyond, Customs licensed agents, international organizations, civil society groups, and private sector representatives among others.

He further explained that these engagements were designed to ensure that policies, operational changes, and reforms were communicated and feedbacks received. He further noted that the interactive sessions with the captains of industries were geared towards attracting and enhancing trade benefits to the Command and so far, it has yielded positive results. He continued by stating that he had used the entire medium to urge stakeholders to always ensure proper declarations of their consignments in order to enhance trade facilitation.

Part of Tincan Customs stakeholders engagement

Additionally, he said that as part of its efforts to promote transparency and keep the public informed about developments and activities at the port, the Command had actively engaged the press by organizing regular briefings and open forums.