Akume, Oyetola Launch Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s ECMS

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The launch of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) in Abuja earlier today, Tuesday, 9th December 2025, received a major boost as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola were physically on ground to unveil the ECMS.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister, Dr Bolaji Akinola, the launch marked a significant leap in the Federal Government’s drive toward digital governance and greater efficiency in the maritime and blue economy.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Olufemi Oloruntola; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola and  Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the launch of Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) on Tuesday, 9th December 2025. in Abuja.

The launch, attended by key government officials including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, underscored the administration’s determination to modernise public service operations and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.

In his remarks, the SGF congratulated the Minister for his leadership that helped secure Nigeria’s recent election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, describing the achievement as an affirmation of the country’s rising global maritime standing.

He also commended Dr Oyetola for providing strategic leadership in the marine and blue economy sector, emphasising that such direction was instrumental in the successful rollout of the ECMS by the nation’s port economic regulator. Senator Akume noted that the system would enhance the efficiency of government processes, reduce bureaucratic delays, and support the broader objectives of transparency, accountability, and digital transformation across the public service.

In his address, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, described the event as an important milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a modern and technology-driven maritime administration. He noted that digital transformation is central to the Ministry’s strategy to reposition Nigeria as a competitive and efficient maritime nation, fully aligned with the demands of a fast-evolving global trade environment. According to him, the theme, “Driving the Maritime and Blue Economy Sector through Digital Innovation,” reflects the necessity of embracing new technologies that enhance speed, precision, and institutional performance.

Dr Oyetola explained that while the ECMS is an internal workflow and records management tool, its impact will extend far beyond administrative routines by improving service delivery, reducing delays, and enhancing the Council’s capacity to deliver predictable and transparent regulatory interventions. He highlighted that automated workflows, secure approvals, real-time task tracking, and centralised information management would drastically reduce turnaround times, improve port performance, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in both regional and global markets.

He also pointed to broader reforms implemented across the maritime sector, including the clearance of the longstanding Apapa gridlock, the Federal Government’s approval of a comprehensive port modernisation programme, and the establishment of Inland Dry Ports across all geopolitical zones to stimulate trade and deepen national economic inclusion.

Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack,reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to a fully digital and paperless administrative structure by the end of 2025. She praised the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for being among the agencies leading by example and aligning themselves with the Presidential directive on digital records management. She described the ECMS as a strong demonstration of institutional readiness for the future of governance, one where automation and streamlined processes replace manual handling and paper-based operations.

Welcoming guests earlier, the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima, described the ECMS as a transformative tool and a core pillar of the Council’s digitalisation agenda. He noted that the system was designed to eliminate delays, manual file movement, and administrative bottlenecks that have hindered public institutions for years.

He added that by strengthening internal accountability, speed, and information security, the ECMS would ultimately enhance the Council’s regulatory effectiveness within the maritime and blue economy sector. He emphasised that the launch was a direct response to the Federal Government’s digital mandate, expressing pride that the Council was among the early adopters demonstrating that the transition to full digital operations is both achievable and essential.

Akutah expressed appreciation to the Minister, the SGF, the Head of the Civil Service, stakeholders, and the Council’s internal teams for their support and contribution to the successful rollout of the project. He urged staff to fully embrace the platform, describing it as their new operational environment and a vital instrument for sustaining a modern, paperless, and efficient regulatory institution.

The launch was attended by top government officials, representatives of the organised private sectors as well as stakeholders from the maritime sector.