Category: Maritime Sector

The Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command (TCIP), Controller Frank Onyeka, has urged stakeholders to ensure accurate and full declarations of goods to enhance trade facilitation and improve customs operations.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting with executives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tin Can Port Chapter, on Wednesday, Onyeka emphasized that proper declarations are crucial in fostering transparency, combating illicit trade, reducing delays, and boosting national revenue collection.

“Proper declarations are the foundation of an efficient customs process. When stakeholders declare goods correctly, it enables us to streamline operations, reduce bottlenecks at the ports, and improve the overall experience for both businesses and consumers,” Onyeka stated.

The call aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) broader objective of strengthening stakeholder engagement, ensuring compliance with global best practices, and creating a transparent, fair, and secure trading environment.

Onyeka reassured stakeholders of the NCS’s commitment to capacity building and the deployment of technology-driven solutions aimed at making trade more efficient. “We must work together to ensure the declaration process is not only a statutory requirement but a tool for trade facilitation. By enhancing compliance and promoting transparency, we are building a more robust, resilient, and dynamic trade ecosystem,” he added.

The meeting, which lasted over an hour and a half, saw stakeholders commending Onyeka’s open-door policy. The Board of Trustees (BOT) Secretary of ANLCA, Mr. Taiwo Oyeniyi, acknowledged Onyeka’s efforts in revenue generation, noting that the TCIP Command has been tasked with increasing its revenue from ₦6.1 billion last year to ₦12 billion this year.

“To achieve this target, Comptroller Onyeka has to block all revenue loopholes. However, we appeal that if he notices any irregularities, he should inform us. Stakeholders should also take advantage of his open-door policy and approach him whenever they need assistance,” Oyeniyi said.

He further praised Onyeka’s previous performance as a valuation officer at TCIP and Onne Command, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the command effectively. Oyeniyi also called on stakeholders to make honest declarations and urged Onyeka to maintain continuous dialogue with industry players.

The NCS remains committed to working with all stakeholders to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure compliance in trade operations at Tin Can Island Port.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun I Area Command on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, held a decoration ceremony for 67 newly promoted officers at Idiroko, with the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller MS Shuaibu, urging them to uphold professionalism, integrity, and dedication in their new roles.

Addressing the gathering, which included representatives from the Immigration Service, NDLEA, DSS, senior officers, and invited guests, Comptroller Shuaibu emphasized that the promotions were a recognition of the officers’ hard work, resilience, and commitment to the Service’s core mandates.

“Your promotion is not just a reward but a call to greater service. It reflects the confidence the Nigeria Customs Service has in your ability to take on higher responsibilities. Let this elevation serve as a motivation to uphold our values of integrity, diligence, and patriotism,” he said.

He urged the newly promoted officers to lead by example, remain dedicated to the Service’s mandates of revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and trade facilitation, and embrace continuous learning to stay ahead of emerging challenges.

Comptroller Shuaibu also expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management for their commitment to staff welfare and career progression. He encouraged officers who were not promoted to remain steadfast, assuring them that their time would come.

The event concluded with the formal decoration of the 67 promoted officers, marking a significant milestone in their careers and reinforcing the Service’s commitment to excellence and national development.

In a renewed effort to combat smuggling and enhance national security, the Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 6,180 pieces of cutlasses and seized contraband items worth N1.27 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV). The command also generated N275.8 million in revenue through legitimate trade in 2024.

Speaking at a press conference on the command’s 2024 scorecard, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, revealed that between January 1st and 27th, 2025, the command recorded significant seizures amounting to N77.48 million. Among the intercepted items were 6,180 pieces of cutlasses, 2,002 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, and 6,375 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Comptroller Shuaibu emphasized that these seizures reflect the command’s relentless efforts to curb smuggling, protect the economy, and ensure national security.

Through intelligence-driven operations, the command also intercepted a large cache of contraband throughout 2024. The seizures included 16,712 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 139,881 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 940 rounds of live ammunition, 71 sacks and 3,253 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 586 bales of used clothing, 86 smuggled vehicles, 18 units of foreign used vehicles, 2,150 pieces of used pneumatic tyres, 760 pieces of donkey skin, 3,766 cartons of frozen poultry products, and 85 bags of imported flour. These items, with a total DPV of N1.27 billion, underscore the command’s dedication to preventing illegal imports that pose economic and security threats.

As part of inter-agency collaboration, Comptroller Shuaibu announced the handover of 1,165 parcels of seized Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command. The intercepted items included 780 parcels of coconut-sized cannabis, 225 parcels of book-sized cannabis, and 160 parcels of bread-sized cannabis. He noted that this handover is a demonstration of the Customs Service’s commitment to working with other security agencies to combat drug trafficking and ensure a safer society.

In addition to anti-smuggling operations, the command also played a vital role in revenue generation. In 2024, it generated N275,835,406 through baggage assessment collections and auction sales of seized PMS and vehicles. The Customs boss commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his unwavering support, while also applauding the officers of the Ogun I Area Command for their resilience, professionalism, and dedication to duty.

He extended his appreciation to traditional rulers, community leaders, stakeholders, and the media for their continued collaboration in the fight against smuggling. He also urged the general public to provide credible intelligence that could assist in combating smuggling and other economic crimes. As 2025 unfolds, he assured that the command remains resolute in its mandate to protect the economy, facilitate legitimate trade, and strengthen national security. According to him, the Ogun I Command will not relent in its efforts to enforce compliance with customs regulations, secure the nation’s borders, and contribute to economic growth through sustained anti-smuggling operations.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko on Monday, disclosed that works is in progress towards the resuscitating the long abandoned multi-mlion Naira scanning machine put in place at the Idiroko Border as part of the measures at meeting up with the core mandate of Service.

Customs Area Controller (CAC) for Ogun Area 1 Command, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu made this disclosure while speaking with news newsmen during the year 2025 commemoration of the International Customs’ Day held in Idiroko Border in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, Shuaibu noted that the Command has consistently stood as a pillar of operational excellence, contributing immensely towards fighting smuggling activities, revenue generation of the country, even amidst trade facilitation due to the strategic location of the border.

Speaking at the commemoration event, which had in attendance, heads of other security agencies which included representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Police, Immigration Service, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, as well as that of the Customs Service from the neighbouring Republic of Benin among other stakeholders, Shuaibu vowed that celebration of the year 2025 edition of the Day would afford NCS to evolve innovative means through which Customs’ operations could be enhanced.

While emphasising on the need to deepen stakeholders’ collaborations, the CAC further promised that the Service will leverage on modern technology to address all emerging challenges that would enable them uphold the ideals of efficiency towards discharging their duties to the country.

It would be recalled that the Ogun 1 Command of NCS has on many occasions, burst series of criminal activities, particularly smugglers who had attempted smuggling firearms and ammunition into the country but we’re intercepted at the command through the networks of its intelligence.

Speaking on measures being put in place to step up security at the Idiroko Border and also reduce phisical examinations of containers while facilitating trade processes however, Shuaibu said he had inspected the long abandoned Idiroko scanning machine to enable him ascertain the condition and what other things that needed to be done on the equipment that was last used over five years ago.

“If you cast your mind back to year 2018 when all the borders in Nigeria were closed, both imports and exports were suspended and these scanner was there; nobody was using it, neither was anyone moving closer to it. Even the officers that were trained to use the machines, a lot of them have retired”.

“So, when I resumed for duty here in Idiroko Border, I visited the site to see how we can resuscitate the machine towards making it come back to live again because the federal government has spent lots of money towards installing it. So, in a very short period of time, it will come back to live”.

In his lecture which he delivered at the event, the guest lecturer, Assistant Controller of Customs (ACC), Clement Amaweh advocated that NCS’ management must effectively leverage on technology to enable the Service meet up with its core mandate of combating smuggling, trade facilitation, as well as revenue generation towards safeguarding the country’s porous borders.

Amaweh however, disclosed that the e-Customs’ project, the Single Window Platform, as well as the Cooperation and collaboration with critical stakeholders among other recommendations would be the magus needed by the Service to enable it perform efficiently in its quest towards achieving success.

“The e-Customs’ project aims to modernise the Nigeria Customs Service operations by fully digitising Customs process including administration, payment, Border management, import/export and transit processing “.

Amaweh emphatically declared that following these processes would lead to increased revenue generation, reduced corruption and efficient trade environments without compromising the National security.

The Nigeria Maritime Journalists (NMJ), a body representing media practitioners in the maritime sector, has announced the postponement of its scheduled award dinner in honor of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.

The award dinner, originally set for Thursday, January 16, 2025, was planned to celebrate the Comptroller General’s remarkable achievements in trade facilitation, exemplary interagency collaboration, and outstanding revenue generation, which have greatly impressed maritime stakeholders and media professionals.

In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dele Aderibigbe, the postponement was attributed to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the organizers.

The statement also assured that a new date for the event would be announced soon, while expressing regret for any inconvenience the postponement may have caused to invited guests.

The NMJ remains committed to recognizing excellence in the maritime sector and honoring individuals who contribute significantly to its development.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a historic milestone, collecting a record ₦6.1 trillion in revenue for 2024, surpassing its ₦5.08 trillion target by ₦1.03 trillion. This marks a significant leap of 90.4% compared to ₦3.2 trillion in 2023, setting a new high in the Service’s history.

At a press briefing in Abuja on January 14, 2025, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, attributed the impressive achievement to a combination of strategic policy reforms, operational improvements, and a focused effort to enhance the revenue collection process. Adeniyi outlined the various initiatives implemented throughout the year, which addressed system loopholes, improved trade facilitation, and curbed revenue leakages.

The ₦6.1 trillion collected in 2024 is made up of ₦3.66 trillion from the Federation Account, ₦816.9 billion from non-federation levies, and ₦1.63 trillion from Value Added Tax (VAT) on imports. Notably, the NCS reduced the amount of concessions granted to businesses by 57.5%, with ₦1.68 trillion in concessions in 2024 compared to ₦3.96 trillion in 2023. Adeniyi credited this reduction to stricter monitoring of exemptions and incentives.

A key factor in the growth of NCS revenue was the remarkable increase in import transactions. The service recorded imports valued at ₦60.29 trillion in 2024, a 117.4% increase from ₦27.74 trillion in 2023. This was achieved through 1.262 million import transactions, with a total weight of 15.35 billion kilograms, indicating a shift toward higher-value goods.

Exports also saw significant growth, with the total CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value rising to ₦136.65 trillion, a 219.5% increase from ₦42.77 trillion in 2023. While the number of export transactions remained stable, export volume grew by 234%, reaching 12.35 billion kilograms compared to 3.70 billion kilograms in 2023.

The NCS also recorded significant achievements in anti-smuggling operations, seizing 3,555 contraband items valued at ₦35.29 billion. These included firearms, ammunition, and narcotics, contributing to national security efforts.

Adeniyi highlighted the introduction of innovative tools such as the Advanced Ruling System and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which accelerated customs clearance for compliant traders. Additionally, the Service piloted the indigenous customs clearance platform “B’Odogwu,” which processed ₦31 billion in revenue.

Looking ahead, Adeniyi expressed optimism for continued growth in 2025, emphasizing the role of ongoing reforms and technology-driven solutions. He noted the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, including importers, exporters, and clearing agents, to sustain the momentum.

In another development, the NCS made progress in its infrastructure development, including the phased relocation to a new corporate headquarters, which is expected to be fully operational by the end of the first quarter of 2025. The Service has also received approval for the establishment of the Nigeria Customs Service University for Trade and Technology in Badagry, Lagos, which aims to enhance capacity building in Nigeria and the West African region.

In 2024, the NCS’s total trade value handled amounted to ₦196.94 trillion, a 179.3% increase from ₦70.50 trillion in 2023, underscoring the Service’s growing impact on Nigeria’s international trade landscape.

Adeniyi commended the efforts of NCS personnel and expressed confidence that these achievements would serve as a foundation for further growth and success in the coming years.

Indian Navy Ship (INS) Tushil hosted the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (FOC WEST), Rear Admiral MG Oamen, and other distinguished guests to a cocktail reception onboard the ship on January 13, 2024. The missile frigate, making its maiden voyage from Russia to India, was docked in Lagos as part of a port call.

During the event, Rear Admiral Oamen highlighted the longstanding and multifaceted relationship between Nigeria and India, emphasizing cooperation across key sectors such as trade, industry, education, and military affairs. He also conveyed the goodwill message of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, to Captain Peter Varghese, Commanding Officer of INS Tushil, and the ship’s crew.

The reception featured cultural performances by an Indian troupe, which entertained the guests with traditional songs and dances. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Ms. Vartika Rawat, Acting High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, and Colonel Rowi Singh, the Defense Attaché of India in Nigeria. Senior naval officers, including Commodore AO Ojebode (Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command), as well as senior officers from the Western Fleet and members of the Indian community in Lagos, were also present.

Earlier in the day, Rear Admiral Oamen received Captain Varghese, Colonel Singh, and other senior officers of the INS Tushil for a courtesy call at the headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos.

The port call of INS Tushil and the events held onboard underscored the strong and growing defense and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and India.

Hyacinth Nwafor, the esteemed editor of Hybrid News, has been recognized for his outstanding contribution to journalism by clinching the second prize in the category of Best Story on Youth Empowerment at the prestigious 2024 Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards.

The award, presented during a grand ceremony, celebrates journalists and media professionals who have demonstrated exceptional storytelling skills and highlighted critical issues that align with Nestlé’s core values of sustainability, nutrition, and community development.

Nwafor’s award-winning story delved into the transformative impact of youth empowerment initiatives in Nigeria, shedding light on programs that equip young people with skills, resources, and opportunities to achieve their potential. The piece resonated deeply with readers and judges alike for its depth, balance, and commitment to promoting sustainable development.

In his acceptance speech, Nwafor dedicated the award to young Nigerians striving to make a difference despite challenges. He expressed gratitude to Nestlé Nigeria for recognizing the importance of youth-focused journalism and for providing a platform to inspire change through storytelling.

“This award is a testament to the power of journalism to spotlight critical issues and drive meaningful conversations. I am deeply honored and inspired to continue advocating for youth empowerment through impactful storytelling,” Nwafor said.

Nestlé Nigeria commended all winners and participants for their dedication to excellence in journalism, emphasizing the critical role of the media in shaping a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth.

Nwafor’s achievement adds to his growing reputation as a leading voice in the Nigerian media landscape, and it underscores Hybrid News’ commitment to producing stories that inform, inspire, and empower.