By Tunde Ojudun
At the 28th edition of the Maritime Industry Merit Award (MIMA), held on March 30, 2026 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Comptroller Frank Okechukwu Onyeka, Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command, emerged as the star of the evening. He received two prestigious honours as the Most Outstanding Customs Area Controller in Revenue Generation as well as the Most Outstanding Customs Area Controller in Anti-Smuggling.
With over 4,000 votes cast, Comptroller Onyeka secured more than 90% in both categories, a resounding testament to his patriotic service and professional ingenuity.
The uncompromising revenue generator was born March 13, 1968 in Lagos, hailing from Aniocha-North LGA, Delta State. He holds a B.Sc. in Political Science (Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti) and a Master’s in Public Administration.
Comptroller Onyeka joined the Nigeria Customs Service in 1991 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent after training at the Customs College, Ikeja. He rose through the ranks with postings at Seme Border, Jalingo, Lilypond Export Command, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, and Apapa Area Command. He served extensively in the Tariff & Trade Department, including as Deputy Comptroller in charge of Valuation at Tin Can Island Port. In 2024, he became Acting CAC Tin Can Island Port, later confirmed as substantive CAC in January 2025. Notably, he was the first officer appointed CAC Tin Can Island Port while still a Deputy Comptroller, an unprecedented recognition of his leadership.
He spearheaded the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Valuation Service, chaired the Dispute Resolution Committee at Tin Can Island Port, and facilitated revenue recovery running into trillions of naira.
His anti-smuggling exploits include overseeing significant seizures across Apapa, Onne, and Tin Can Island Commands, reinforcing national economic protection.
Comptroller Onyeka also contributed to capacity building of officers and stakeholders, serving as instructor at Customs Command and Staff Colleges, as well as organizing a landmark training and empowerment workshop for maritime journalists in December 2025.
Comptroller Onyeka is a chain awards winner. A recipient of the CGC’s Value Addition Award (2023, 2024), Gold Award for Leadership Excellence (League of Maritime Editors, 2025), and multiple recognitions for transparency, integrity, and economic excellence.
He is widely regarded as a “Revenue Guru” whose pragmatic leadership, dedication to service, and commitment to capacity building have set new standards in the Nigeria Customs Service. His dual recognition at MIMA 2026 underscores his pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy while driving unprecedented revenue growth.
PHOTO: Up, the award-winning Comptroller Frank Onyeka, down; ( L-R) High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi ( Freight Forwarder of the Year 2025) and National President Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) presenting the awards of MOST OUTSTANDING CUSTOMS AREA CONTROLLER ON REVENUE GENERATION AND MOST OUTSTANDING CUSTOMS AREA CONTROLLER ON ANTI-SMUGGLING 2025 to Comptroller Frank Onyeka represented by Assistant Comptroller Simon Stanley and Tin Can Island Customs Command PRO, CSC Oscar Ivara at MIMA 2026 in the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday.