Shippers’ Council unveils ECMS: Akume, Oyetola lead digital push

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) took a major step towards digital governance with the launch of its Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) in Abuja on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

The event was graced by the  Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola.

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

The event was attended by key government officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, highlighting the administration’s push to modernise public service operations and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.

In his remarks, Senator Akume congratulated Minister Oyetola on securing Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, calling it a testament to the country’s rising global maritime standing.

Akume commended Oyetola’s leadership in the marine and blue economy sector, saying it played a key role in the successful rollout of the ECMS by the nation’s port economic regulator. “The system will enhance government efficiency, reduce bureaucratic delays, and support transparency, accountability, and digital transformation,” Akume noted.

Speaking Chief Oyetola described the launch as a milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward modern maritime administration. “Digital transformation is central to our strategy to reposition Nigeria as a competitive maritime nation,” he said, highlighting the theme, “Driving the Maritime and Blue Economy Sector through Digital Innovation.”

Oyetola explained that the ECMS will improve service delivery, reduce delays, and boost the Council’s regulatory effectiveness through automated workflows, secure approvals, and real-time tracking.

The Head of the Civil Service, Mrs Walson-Jack, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to a fully digital and paperless administrative structure by end-2025. She praised NSC for leading by example in digital records management, calling the ECMS “a strong demonstration of institutional readiness for the future of governance.”

NSC’s Executive Secretary and CEO, Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima, described the ECMS as a transformative tool designed to eliminate delays, manual file movement, and administrative bottlenecks. “By strengthening accountability, speed, and information security, the ECMS will enhance the Council’s regulatory effectiveness,” he said, thanking stakeholders for their support.

The launch was attended by top officials, private sector reps, and maritime stakeholders. Dr Akutah urged staff to embrace the platform as their new operational environment, vital for sustaining a modern, paperless, and efficient regulatory institution.

The ECMS launch aligns with broader reforms in the maritime sector, including clearing the Apapa gridlock, port modernisation, and establishing Inland Dry Ports to boost trade and economic inclusion. With this digital leap, Nigeria aims to strengthen its maritime competitiveness and drive economic growth.