Maritime
Maritime automation advances as Fed Govt deploys ECMS
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.
.Invested as Patron
The National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Tochukwu Emmanuel Ezisi, has been honoured with the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) Freight Forwarder of the Year Award.
The industry veteran was also formally invested as a Patron of the association in recognition of his outstanding contributions to freight forwarding and the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The double honours were conferred during the 2026 MARCON Annual Conference held at Hotel Presidential on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where industry leaders, government officials and key stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the theme: “Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy.”
Speaking during the investiture, the Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the decision to confer Patronship on Chief Ezisi was in appreciation of his exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to the growth of the freight forwarding profession and consistent support for initiatives that promote professionalism and sustainable development within the maritime sector.
Ogbuokiri noted that, as National President of NAGAFF and Managing Director of Emmatoks Agencies Limited, Chief Ezisi has distinguished himself through advocacy for trade facilitation, capacity development and reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency across Nigeria’s ports and logistics value chain.
According to Ogbuokiri, the Freight Forwarder of the Year Award recognises individuals whose leadership, innovation and dedication have made significant impacts on the freight forwarding profession and the nation’s maritime economy.
Ezisi was represented at the event by the National Secretary of NAGAFF, Geoffrey Nwosu, reaffirming his commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen freight forwarding practice, improved stakeholder collaboration and contributing to the continued growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The conference attracted senior government officials, regulators, port managers, industry operators and maritime professionals who explored strategies for leveraging efficient port infrastructure and Special Economic Zones to drive investment, trade, industrialisation and the country’s blue economy aspirations.
The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has said Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are emerging as critical drivers of the country’s Blue Economy, with investments in oil and gas free zones strengthening energy exports, maritime logistics, industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
The Authority said its regulated free zones have evolved beyond conventional investment destinations into strategic Energy Economic Zones that are enhancing national energy security, expanding export capacity and positioning Nigeria as a preferred investment destination in West Africa.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Bamanga Usman Jada, stated this while delivering the keynote address titled, “The Strategic Role of OGFZA in Supporting Nigeria’s Blue Economy and Energy Exports,” at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) held in Port Harcourt. The conference was themed, *”Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy.”*
Jada, who was represented by the Technical Adviser to the Managing Director on Free Zones Development, Jackson Iniobong, described the Blue Economy as a framework for harnessing Nigeria’s oceans, rivers, ports and coastal resources to drive economic prosperity while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
He said OGFZA’s statutory mandate of regulating and promoting investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones aligns with the Federal Government’s Blue Economy agenda, noting that most of the Authority’s free zones are strategically located along the country’s maritime corridors.
“Over the years, OGFZA has contributed significantly to the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy through the establishment, regulation and promotion of Special Economic Zones strategically located around our maritime corridors.”
According to him, the free zones have evolved into engines of industrialisation, international trade, marine logistics, offshore support services and export-oriented manufacturing, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s participation in the global maritime economy.
Jada identified the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Rivers State as OGFZA’s flagship zone, noting that it hosts one of Nigeria’s busiest seaports and serves as an operational base for numerous multinational companies involved in maritime and oil and gas operations.
He also highlighted the Bestaf Maritime Industrial Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lagos State, which hosts an indigenous lubricant blending facility with an annual production capacity of 240 million litres, with products exported through Nigeria’s waterways.
The OGFZA boss further cited the Dangote Industries Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lekki, home to the 700,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, the largest refinery in Africa, as a major indigenous investment that has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s energy export profile.
“These developments have expanded the significance of OGFZA-regulated free zones into becoming Energy Economic Zones that are enhancing national energy security, industrialisation, and maritime logistics infrastructure and safety.”
Jada said the Authority also regulates the Secured Bunkering Anchorage, an offshore facility supporting safe maritime operations and energy exports, while its free zones have attracted substantial domestic and foreign investments, generated thousands of jobs and facilitated technology transfer.
He explained that OGFZA’s One-Stop-Shop model has improved collaboration with key maritime agencies by simplifying licensing processes, streamlining Customs procedures and enhancing the ease of doing business for investors.
The regulatory framework, Jada noted, has improved port efficiency, reduced operational bottlenecks and promoted indigenous capacity development in fabrication, engineering, marine support services, vessel maintenance and logistics, with facilities such as the West Atlantic Shipyard contributing significantly to local content development.
Looking ahead, he said the Authority would continue to promote environmentally responsible industrial operations, cleaner technologies and efficient resource utilisation to ensure that Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones become models of sustainability, innovation and resilience.
He reaffirmed OGFZA’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s vision of leveraging the country’s vast maritime assets to diversify the economy, attract quality investments, create employment opportunities and build a prosperous and sustainable future.
- Fiscal measures take effect
The Federal Government has reduced the import levy on both new and used vehicles as part of its 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures
The move, the government said, is aimed at lowering the cost of vehicle importation, easing the burden on importers and improving access to vehicles for consumers.
The new fiscal measures, which took effect on July 1 2026, form part of a broader review of Nigeria’s import tariff structure and customs regime designed to stimulate economic activity and support trade.
Under the revised policy, the import levy on new vehicles has been reduced from 20% to 10%, while the levy on used vehicles has been cut from 15% to 5% per cent.
According to government, “Beginning 1st July 2026, the Nigeria Customs Service will implement the Green Tax Surcharge as part of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures to support environmental sustainability. while also reducing the import levy on new vehicles from 20% to 10% and that of used vehicles from 15% to 5% to ease the cost of vehicle importation?”
Importers and dealers have since welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step forward.
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