One thing that distinguishes Comptroller Frank Onyeka is his hard work. He is a lover of his job and very passionate about anything he’s doing. Since assuming office in December 2024 as Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Onyeka has demonstrated unwavering commitment to excellence. From the outset, he championed a culture of hard work, and over the past nine months, his results have spoken volumes. His leadership has significantly advanced trade facilitation and revenue generation, core mandates of the Customs Service.
This week, the League of Maritime Editors (LOME) recognized his achievements by presenting him with the Gold Award for Excellent Leadership. The award celebrates his transparent leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic reforms that have boosted efficiency and revenue collection at the Tin Can Island Port.
Comptroller Onyeka’s tenure has been marked by a dual focus: enhancing service delivery and combating smuggling. His efforts have led to seizures worth billions of naira, reinforcing the Command’s role in protecting Nigeria’s economic interests.
A strong advocate for technology, Onyeka has pushed for the adoption of blockchain and the B’Odogwu systems to modernize operations. One of his most impactful reforms has been the elimination of the long-standing issue of multiple alert system, a practice that often delayed container clearance and frustrated importers. By streamlining this process, he has earned widespread support from stakeholders.
His impactful reforms had by the first half of this year, June 2025, earned the Tin Can Command a generated revenue of ₦747.079 billion. The hardworking but humble Onyeka attributes this success to a strategic shift from pursuing maximum revenue to implementing a collectable revenue policy, designed to encourage quicker turnover for importers while still meeting fiscal targets. This approach aligns with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Despite his pro-trade stance, Onyeka remains firm on compliance. He has led awareness campaigns to educate traders on customs regulations, assuring that compliant importers enjoy faster clearance. “We do this to promote trade,” he said during a recent engagement. “We have the support of the trading community and are committed to ensuring the success of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Our message is clear: follow the rules, and you’ll get the best outcomes.”
With confidence in the Command’s trajectory, Onyeka believes they are well on track to meet the ₦1.5 trillion revenue target for the year. He also acknowledges the unwavering support of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as a key factor in the Command’s success as he commends his officers and men for their readiness to work and thoroughness.