Nigeria’s maritime digitalisation agenda received a major boost yesterday as the Federal Government rolled out the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS).
The platform aims to cut bureaucratic delays, automate regulatory workflows, and improve the country’s competitiveness in global trade.
Unveiled in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the ECMS represents one of the most significant digital governance milestones in the marine and blue economy sector since the Ministry was created.
The system introduces secure approvals, automated workflows, real-time task tracking, and centralised digital records into the operations of the port economic regulator, signalling what stakeholders described as a decisive step toward a responsive, paperless, and efficient maritime regulatory environment.
Congratulating the minister for what he called strategic leadership in the sector, Senator Akume linked Nigeria’s recent election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council to the administration’s broader reforms.
“I congratulate the Minister for the leadership that helped secure this achievement. It is an affirmation of Nigeria’s rising global maritime standing,” the SGF said.
He added that the launch of the ECMS demonstrates the government’s commitment to an efficient, transparent, and digitally enabled public service.
“The system will enhance the efficiency of government processes, reduce bureaucratic delays, and support the broader objectives of transparency, accountability, and digital transformation across the public service,” Akume said.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the launch as a defining moment in the country’s drive to build a technologically advanced maritime administration.
“Digital transformation is at the heart of our strategy to reposition Nigeria as a competitive maritime nation,” he said.
He noted that the theme of the launch — Driving the Maritime and Blue Economy Sector through Digital Innovation, captures the urgency of adopting technologies that enhance precision, speed, and institutional performance.
Although the platform is an internal records and workflow tool, Oyetola stressed that its impact will extend across the port ecosystem.
“Automated workflows, secure approvals, real-time task tracking, and centralised information management will drastically reduce turnaround times, improve port performance, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in both regional and global markets,” he said.
The minister also highlighted complementary reforms including the clearance of the long-standing Apapa gridlock, approval of a comprehensive port modernisation programme, and establishment of Inland Dry Ports across all geopolitical zones.
These reforms, he said, are collectively aimed at creating an enabling environment for efficient cargo movement and wider economic inclusion.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, reiterated the government’s target to transition to a fully digital and paperless bureaucracy before the end of 2025.
“The ECMS is a strong demonstration of institutional readiness for the future of governance. Automation and streamlined processes must now replace manual handling and paper-based operations,”.sje said.
She commended the Shippers’ Council for being “among the agencies leading by example” in aligning with the Presidential directive on digital records management.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah, welcomed stakeholders and described the system as transformative.
“The ECMS will eliminate delays, manual file movement, and administrative bottlenecks that have hindered public institutions for years,” he said.
He stressed that the tool strengthens internal accountability, speed, and information security and will ultimately raise the Council’s regulatory effectiveness in the maritime and blue economy sector.
“This launch is a direct response to the Federal Government’s digital mandate,” Akutah said.
He expressed pride that the Council is among the early adopters proving that “the transition to full digital operations is both achievable and essential.”
He also thanked the Minister, the SGF, the Head of Service, stakeholders, and internal teams for their roles in delivering the project, urging staff to fully adopt the new system.
“This is your new operational environment, and it is vital for sustaining a modern, paperless, and efficient regulatory institution,” he said.
The launch was attended by top government officials, representatives of the organised private sectors as well as stakeholders from the maritime sector.

• As NSW set for Q1 2026 rollout

Nigeria’s port digitalisation drive has achieved major milestones with the Electronic Call-Up System processing 3.4 million truck movements since February 2021 while slashing cargo transportation costs by 65 per cent, as the nation prepares to launch the National Single Window (NSW) platform in the first quarter of 2026, to cut clearance time to less than 24 hours.

The twin technological interventions are positioned to transform Nigeria’s maritime logistics landscape and strengthen the country’s competitiveness as a regional trade hub, according to officials at All Nigerian Maritime Journalist Retreat organised by the Maritime Correspondents Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) in Lagos.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, said the E-Call Up System has evolved from an emergency response to tackle gridlock into a robust digital logistics management framework delivering measurable gains in efficiency and orderliness along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors.

“The E-Call Up System, known as ETO, was introduced by the Management of Nigerian Ports Authority on 27th February 2021. It was conceived as a digital reform to restore order, transparency, and efficiency to the Port access roads,” Dantsoho stated during his address at the retreat with the theme “Maximising Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Import and Export Trade” held at Lekki Free Zone on December 4, 2025.

He explained that prior to the system’s deployment, the Apapa and Tin Can corridors were overwhelmed by indiscriminate truck movements, gridlock and long dwell times, conditions that severely undermined trade facilitation and economic productivity.

“Today, the E-Call Up System has become a transformative tool, enabling structured truck inflow, improving logistics coordination, and aligning Nigerian port operations with global best practices,” he said.

Dantsoho disclosed that NPA recently undertook a comprehensive review of the E-Call Up framework, resulting in two significant advancements. The first is the redesign and security enhancement of ETO tickets, which are now tied directly to Terminal Delivery Orders and Vehicle Entry Permits to ensure traceability and eliminate fraudulent duplication or resale.

“This ensures traceability, eliminates fraudulent duplication or resale, and strengthens transparency across the evacuation process. The redesigned ticketing framework directly addresses vulnerabilities previously exploited by bad actors and enhances the integrity of the system,” he explained.

The second advancement, he said, is the full integration of terminal gate barriers with the ETO platform, ensuring barriers open only after verifying valid, electronically authenticated tickets.

“This prevents criss-crossing of trucks, eliminates unauthorised diversions, and ensures that trucks only enter Terminals for which they have been properly scheduled. This advancement has improved sequencing, reduced human interference, and reinforced operational discipline across the port value chain,” Dantsoho said.

He assured stakeholders that under the current leadership, NPA remains resolute in deepening reforms and ensuring the port corridor never returns to the era of chronic congestion.

“Our goal is clear: to support Nigeria’s long-term trade facilitation objectives and strengthen our country’s global competitiveness,” he stated.

The Managing Director of Truck Transit Parks Limited, the concessionaire managing the electronic call-up system, Jama Onwubuariri provided detailed statistics on the platform’s performance since inception. He revealed that cargo transportation costs have dropped from as high as N1.4 million to between N350,000 and N500,000, representing approximately 65 per cent reduction.

“Since inception, the system has processed approximately 3.4 million truck movements in four years and nine months. Truck turnaround time has fallen from two to three weeks to two to three days,” Onwubuariri disclosed during his presentation.

He recalled the severity of the gridlock before the reforms, noting that traffic in Apapa was so severe that commuters abandoned their vehicles and resorted to motorcycles and boats to reach their workplaces, with gridlock stretching from Apapa to Surulere and Mile 2, obstructing emergency services and crippling businesses.

“Today, the situation has improved dramatically as most Apapa access roads now experience free traffic flow, with congestion limited mainly to the ‘Mr. Biggs axis’ near the port gates,” he explained.

Onwubuariri said the company has introduced 170 new feature updates to address emerging issues while maintaining 100 per cent uptime since the platform launched in February 2021, an achievement he noted surpasses even some global tech platforms that experienced downtime in the same period.

The TTP boss disclosed that the platform has been synchronised with the Central Bank’s Nigerian Export Proceeds portal, ensuring exporters complete regulatory processes before booking port access.

However, he identified persistent challenges including truck plate number duplication and use of fake or cloned numbers, non-compliance with Terminal Delivery Orders, terminal efficiency gaps where some operators take up to three hours to process trucks, and extortion by security officials creating artificial bottlenecks.

“While the electronic system has curtailed bribery by eliminating manual clearance, some uniformed personnel still exploit truckers, demanding payments before allowing movement,” Onwubuariri stated.

To address these gaps, TTP has proposed deploying a new E-tag digital identity system on truck windscreens to eliminate identity fraud, linking all bookings with standardised interchange transaction numbers tied to Vehicle Entry Permits or Terminal Delivery Orders, improved terminal infrastructure investment, stronger consequence management for violators, and firm government directives to curb extortion by security agencies.

“There are still people who hear ‘Apapa’ and shake their heads because of the terrible experiences they had before 2021,” Onwubuariri said, reaffirming TTP’s commitment to working with NPA and relevant stakeholders to sustain the gains.

On the National Single Window project, the Head of Change and Stakeholder Management for the NSW, Ayokunnu Ojeniyi, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, revealed that Nigeria has entered the most advanced stage of implementation since first adopting the concept many years ago.
Ojeniyi explained that the current level of progress represents a major milestone, noting this is the first time the country has produced a working version of the platform for public and institutional review, describing the development as a turning point in Nigeria’s long, repeated attempts to implement a single window system.

“The National Single Window is structured as a central digital platform through which all importers, exporters and trade operators can submit standardised documentation once, allowing all relevant government agencies to access the information simultaneously,” Ojeniyi stated.

He said the system will eliminate duplication, minimise delays, reduce manual handling of documents and improve visibility across the entire regulatory chain, adding that while countries like Ghana have used similar systems successfully for more than a decade, Nigeria is building a version designed to exceed regional performance benchmarks.

“The NSW is expected to cut clearance time to less than 24 hours when fully operational, significantly reduce the country’s average export processing duration, lower business costs and enhance transparency across all trade agencies,” he emphasised.

Ojeniyi explained that the platform will strengthen customs risk management and streamline overlapping roles between regulatory institutions such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, helping eliminate long-standing bottlenecks that have increased the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

He disclosed that progress has accelerated since President Bola Tinubu launched the implementation phase in April 2024, with the project team completing detailed business process analysis, implementing the first round of User Acceptance Testing with several regulatory agencies, and beginning additional rounds of testing with NPA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

“Another phase of testing is scheduled for January 2026, while full scale training for all users across the trade ecosystem will begin in February,” he said, confirming the system has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the Nigeria Customs Service’s NICIS II platform.

Ojeniyi attributed the unprecedented level of progress to strong political backing, pointing out that the project’s steering committee operates from the Office of the President and includes all major trade-related agencies.
“The President’s consistent interest has provided the momentum needed to harmonize agency positions and push the project forward where earlier versions stalled,” he noted.

Citing international case studies, he said countries with operational single window systems have successfully reduced export processing times from more than ten days to just two or three, expressing confidence that Nigeria can match and surpass these results within one to two years of full implementation, positioning the country as a leading trade hub in West Africa.

“The benefits of the NSW will become evident quickly once the platform goes live,” Ojeniyi assured, calling for continued stakeholder support and public engagement as the rollout approaches.

The President of the Maritime Correspondents Organisation of Nigeria, Ismail Aniemu, underscored the importance of well-informed reporting in strengthening the nation’s maritime sector, explaining that the retreat was organised to equip journalists with knowledge needed to support major government policies. He emphasised the strategic role Nigeria plays as a central hub for West and Central Africa, noting that the country’s economic growth has significant regional impact.

“The maritime sector’s contribution to employment, access and exit systems, and national productivity means that inefficiencies such as prolonged vessel turnaround time slow economic progress and weaken competitiveness,” Aniemu stated.

Sakeholders agreed the developments demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging technology for trade facilitation and positioning the country competitively in regional and global maritime commerce.

Nigeria has secured a seat in Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, marking the country’s return to the global maritime decision-making body after 14 years.
Bolaji Akinola, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy who disclosed this in a statement issued to the media said the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, led Nigeria’s delegation and campaign for the seat.
He described the outcome of the election which held in London today 28th November, 2025 at the IMO General Assembly as the outcome as a significant achievement for the country and a boost to its standing within the international maritime community.
Oyetola said the victory followed more than a year of diplomatic outreach and engagements with member states and maritime blocs. He noted that the result reflected renewed international confidence in Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the Minister, the Council seat offers Nigeria a platform to contribute more actively to global discussions on shipping, maritime safety and sustainable ocean governance
Oyetola also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu, stating that government backing was crucial to the success of the campaign. He expressed appreciation to countries that voted for Nigeria, saying their support demonstrates trust in the reforms taking place within the country’s maritime and blue economy sectors.
The Minister further commended the Technical Committee of Experts chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olufemi Oloruntola, for coordinating Nigeria’s preparations for the election.
“This victory is not just for Nigeria; it is a vote of confidence in our maritime reforms, our security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, and the bold vision of His Excellency President Tinubu to unlock the full potential of the blue economy.
“Our return to the IMO Council after fourteen years signals that Nigeria is back — stronger, more strategic and more determined to contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of global shipping, maritime safety and sustainable ocean governance. We worked tirelessly, travelling across continents, building bridges and reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to take up this responsibility.
“Mr President gave us every encouragement, every backing and every resource we needed to prosecute this campaign. His leadership opened doors and inspired immense goodwill from across the world.
“The world has stood with us, and we do not take this for granted. Nigeria will serve with integrity, commitment and a strong sense of responsibility.
“We have earned the world’s confidence. Now we must deepen our reforms, strengthen our institutions and ensure that Nigeria takes its rightful place as a leading maritime nation,” Minister Oyetola said.
Nigeria joins 19 other countries elected into Category C, which comprises nations with special interests in maritime transport and navigation and ensures balanced geographical representation on the Council. The elected states include the Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa.
Countries elected into Category B, representing major players in international seaborne trade: include Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
Category A, reserved for leading providers of international shipping services includes China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council is expected to enhance the country’s influence in maritime policy development, expand access to international technical support and strengthen cooperation with global partners, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea.
The Ministry said the country will now work to consolidate reforms within the maritime and blue economy sectors to maximise the gains of its renewed international engagement.