The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded an intensive week-long in-house training programme designed to enhance the knowledge, capacity, and professionalism of its senior officers.
The exercise, which ran from Monday, 13th to Friday, 17th October 2025, was held at the Command’s headquarters and focused on strengthening core competencies vital to modern customs administration.
The comprehensive training brought together officers from various departments and units, reflecting the Command’s commitment to continuous learning and institutional development.
It also underscored the Service’s resolve to ensure that its personnel remain equipped to handle the dynamic demands of trade facilitation, border management, and revenue collection.
Declaring the programme open, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Frank Onyeka, described the initiative as a strategic investment in human capital.
He emphasised that professional development was crucial for maintaining operational excellence and meeting the expectations of stakeholders in the maritime and logistics sectors.
“This training is not a mere routine exercise but an investment in the human resources of the Service,” Onyeka stated. “As senior officers, you play a pivotal role in shaping operational outcomes. I encourage you to apply the insights gained from this programme to improve efficiency, uphold professionalism, and deliver top-quality service in your respective duties.”
Comptroller Onyeka further announced that plans were already underway to extend similar training to junior officers, ensuring that every rank within the Command benefits from capacity-building initiatives.
According to him, this inclusive approach is part of the Command’s broader vision of fostering a workforce that is competent, motivated, and performance-driven.
The training sessions were facilitated by experienced resource persons drawn from within the Command, reflecting the wealth of expertise and institutional knowledge among its ranks.
The topics covered were diverse and practical, addressing key operational areas such as Physical Examination (led by the CAC himself), Reputation Management, Risk Management and Documentary Checks, Evidence Exploitation, Customs Procedure Codes, and Customs Classification. Other subjects included VIN Valuation, Customs Valuation, Code of Conduct, and Customs Administration.
In his closing remarks, Comptroller Onyeka reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of professionalism and knowledge-driven operations. He urged officers to remain proactive and forward-thinking as the Service continues to align its activities with international best practices.
“The Command is resolute in building a workforce that is not only knowledgeable but also adaptable to emerging challenges in the global trade environment,” he said. “Through initiatives like this, we are laying a strong foundation for sustained operational excellence.”
Participants lauded the initiative, commending the Command’s leadership for its dedication to staff development. They described the training as timely, practical, and enriching, particularly in addressing evolving operational challenges.
Assistant Controller Rose Bonat of the Transire Unit expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing the programme as “a laudable and transformative experience.” She noted that the sessions offered fresh perspectives and updated Standard Operating Procedures that would significantly improve performance.
“This training has deepened my understanding of customs operations and equipped me with practical tools to handle daily tasks more effectively,” she remarked. “I sincerely commend the leadership for prioritising our professional growth and creating a platform for continuous improvement.”
With the successful completion of the training, the Tincan Island Port Command continues to position itself as a model of innovation and excellence within the Nigeria Customs Service, reinforcing its commitment to efficiency, accountability, and effective service delivery.
About The Author
