TCIP Welcomes New Customs Controller as Onyeka Elevated to ACG

Victoria Silvanus

A new leadership era commenced at the Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday, May 22, 2026, as newly promoted Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Frank Okechukwu Onyeka officially handed over the mantle of leadership to Comptroller Joseph Anani.

The handover ceremony, held at the command’s conference room, drew officers, stakeholders and well-wishers who showered encomiums on ACG Onyeka for what many described as his remarkable achievements and exemplary leadership style during his tenure as Customs Area Controller.

Speaking during the ceremony, Onyeka urged officers and stakeholders to extend the same cooperation and support they gave him to his successor.

According to him, the command achieved unprecedented milestones in revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations under his watch.

“Through the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of officers and men of this command, we were able to generate a total revenue of ₦1,609,874,328,972.55 for the 2025 fiscal year, surpassing the assigned target of ₦1,524,669,999,478.52,” Onyeka stated.

He further disclosed that the command generated over ₦401 billion in the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year alone.

“This achievement was not accidental; it was the product of discipline, intelligence-driven operations, improved compliance strategies, robust stakeholder engagement, and the deployment of modern trade facilitation mechanisms aimed at balancing enforcement with legitimate trade,” he added.

On the area of anti-smuggling, Onyeka said the command recorded major breakthroughs through the interception and seizure of illicit drugs and prohibited items valued at over ₦35 billion.

“These seizures underscore the command’s collective resolve to protect the nation from criminal networks and to safeguard the health, security and future of our society,” he said.

Reflecting on his experience at the command, Onyeka described the position as one of the most demanding assignments of his career.

“It is my pleasure to hand over to Comptroller Joseph Anani following my elevation to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General. Serving as the Customs Area Controller of this command has been the most challenging in my career,” he noted.

The outgoing ACG also appreciated the commitment of officers and the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, towards the successes recorded by the command.

Stakeholders and officers present at the event commended Onyeka’s dedication, intelligence and open leadership style, expressing confidence that the incoming controller would consolidate on the achievements recorded so far.

In his acceptance speech, Comptroller Joseph Anani expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs and the management of the Nigeria Customs Service for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the command.

“First, I need to express my sincere gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and other management staff of the Nigeria Customs Service for finding me worthy to be deployed to the Tin Can Island Port Command,” Anani said.

“I recognise the importance of this command to national revenue, trade and security. I accept this responsibility with humility and commitment,” he added.

Anani commended his predecessor for raising operational standards and positioning the command as a critical gateway for legitimate trade.

“Under the leadership of ACG Onyeka, the command witnessed progress in revenue collection, trade facilitation and the suppression of smuggling activities. These achievements have raised the bar and positioned the Tin Can Island Port Command as a critical gateway for legitimate trade,” he said.

The new Customs Area Controller pledged to build a command that would be “more efficient, transparent and result-oriented,” while charging officers to uphold professionalism and discipline in the discharge of their duties.

“Professionalism, intelligence and discipline must remain the hallmark of our conduct. We will not tolerate compromise, inefficiency, or acts that undermine the service and the nation entirely,” Anani warned.

He also called for stronger synergy among sister agencies operating within the port environment.

“National security and trade facilitation are shared responsibilities. Through mutual respect, timely information sharing and joint action, we will secure our borders and facilitate legitimate trade,” he said.

The ceremony ended on a hopeful note, with stakeholders expressing optimism that Comptroller Joseph Anani would sustain and possibly surpass the achievements recorded under ACG Onyeka’s leadership at the command.