Comptroller Anani Prioritises Compliance, Trade Facilitation, Strategic Partnerships at Tin Can Customs

The Customs Area Controller, TinCan Island Port Command, (TCIPC) Comptroller Joseph Anani, has made compliance, trade facilitation and stakeholders engagement the cornerstones of his administration.

Since assuming leadership of the Command on 22 May 2026, Comptroller Anani has embarked on a series of strategic engagements, inspections, and courtesy visits aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, fostering stakeholder confidence, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration.

The Area Controller conducted an extensive inspection of Customs formations and terminals within the Command to obtain first-hand knowledge of available facilities, assess officers’ working conditions, and evaluate the overall operational environment.

The inspection which signaled his first assignment targets improving workplace standards and ensuring that officers are adequately positioned to deliver on the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

In his maiden stakeholder engagement, Comptroller Anani convened a strategic meeting with major freight forwarding associations, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), and other industry players.

During the engagement, he emphasised the importance of compliance, professionalism, and partnership in achieving seamless trade operations.

Comptroller Anani outlined a blueprint anchored on total compliance with all Customs procedures and extant laws, particularly the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

He called for higher standards in all port transactions and warned against any form of indiscipline, misconduct, or practices capable of undermining the integrity of the Service.

“We are setting a new tone anchored on compliance, collaboration, and service excellence. Every stakeholder has a role to play in making Tincan Island Port a model of trade facilitation and operational efficiency,” he said.

The Comptroller also hosted key stakeholders, including terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, exporters, and captains of industry, at a roundtable meeting designed to chart a progressive course for the Command.

He assured stakeholders of an open-door policy and pledged to create a conducive environment that supports legitimate trade and economic growth.

He further urged terminal operators to improve infrastructure within their facilities and create additional operational spaces capable of attracting more vessel traffic, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and efficiency at the port.

Recognising the importance of collaboration in achieving national security objectives, Comptroller Anani paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police (Western Command), CP Toyin Agbaminoja.

During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on issues relating to national security, port operations, and the safety of lives and property.

The Commissioner of Police pledged the continued support of the Nigeria Police Force through intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.

In a similar move to reinforce the fight against illicit trade and transnational crimes, Comptroller Anani visited the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander Solomon Omotosho.

Both agencies discussed strategies for sustained synergy in combating drug trafficking and the activities of drug peddlers operating within and around the port environment.

They emphasized the need for intelligence-driven operations, information sharing, and coordinated enforcement actions to prevent the movement of illicit narcotics through the nation’s gateways.

Comptroller Anani expressed profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for the confidence reposed in him through his appointment as the Customs Area Controller of the nation’s premier port command.

He pledged to justify the trust by consolidating on existing achievements while advancing the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Controller reaffirmed that the Command will remain guided by the Comptroller-General of Customs’ policy thrust, anchored on the three cardinal principles of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation.

“These principles will continue to shape the Command’s strategic approach to trade facilitation, revenue generation, stakeholder engagement, and the advancement of national security objectives,” Comptroller Anani said.