Anani Breaks Revenue Record, Takes Leadership Qualities Beyond Trade
By Ovie Edomi
It was not his first time to pleasantly surprise observers but setting a new benchmark in revenue generation by recording an unprecedented ₦135.59 billion collection in July 2026 at the Tin Can Island Port Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) speaks so much about the leadership and administrative prowess of Comptroller Joe Anani.
The revenue record-breaking performance by the Tin Can Island Customs Command boss, is not only about the highest monthly revenue ever posted by the Command, it equally demostrates that the Tin Can Island command remains one of Nigeria’s foremost revenue-generating ports and insiders say it underscores the leadership prowess of comptroller Anani.
According to those who are familiar with Anani administrative prowess they say he is building on the structure he met on ground as well as continuing with the strong administrative philosophy he built while heading the Port & Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command, where stakeholders engagement, operational discipline and technology-driven processes are key drivers of his operations. Insiders also described Anani’s application of his leadership and administrative prowess in a complex environment like Tin Can island Customs command as part of what led to the highest monthly revenue collection for the month of July.
This magazine gathered that Comptroller Joe Anani, generated N135,588,777,000 in July 2026, surpassing performance of the previous year which was put at N116 billion in July 2025. Meaning the latest collection represents an increase of over N19.5 billion over last year’s figure.
Those with inside knowledge of the workings of Time Can island customs command say the increase is a reflection of the administrative prowess and leadership style that Anani has built at since taking charge of the command.
Analysts argue that sustainable revenue growth does not come from enforcement alone but from leadership that inspires confidence and motivates the workforce. They point to how seamless and efficient it is to clear cargo under Comptroller Anani and how that impact on Tin Can’s revenue base as greater volumes of trade is drawn to Tin Can Island port.
Furthermore, Analysts say Anani’s transparency style, engagements/ dialogue and insistence on accurate documentation and timely compliance, enhanced trade facilitation and firmness on the part of Customs Officers, are approaches that helped to strengthened voluntary compliance among importers, freight forwarders and shipping companies. This Analysts say encouraged higher cargo throughput and, by extension, stronger revenue performance.
The Command’s latest revenue milestone is also attributed to fair administrative treatment, institutional behaviour that Anani has brought to bear. A development that has influenced stakeholders confidence, enforced discipline without necessarily stifling legitimate trade, and create an operational culture where compliance becomes more rewarding than circumvention.
Indeed, for Tin Can Island Port, it is heart warming to see how Anani continues to ensure that the Tin Can island customs command retains it strategic position as one of nation’s busiest maritime gateways as well as one of the highest revenue generating Customs commands
It shows that the decision of No 1 man of Customs in Nigeria as well as the Chairman of the World Customs Organisation, WCO, Customs Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, to deploy Comptroller Anani to his new post, is indeed putting a square peg in a square hole.
Nigeria indeed need Customs Officers that will use their managerial and leadership prowess in their various commands in terdem with Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s overall philosophy for the Nigeria Customs in line with President Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for the Nigeria Customs of the 21st century.
Certainly, Anani is on course and Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service will be happy with his choice of Anani as the Tin Can Island Customs commands boss.