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.