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From Idu Jude, Abuja
The federal government’s drive for digital transformation across economic sectors received a major boost on Tuesday as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) officially launched its Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) in Abuja.
The initiative garnered endorsements from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Wilson-Jack, who collectively lauded the system as a critical tool for enhancing efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
Speaking at the event, Minister Oyetola described the launch as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey toward a modern, technology-driven maritime administration aligned with global best practices. “The theme of today’s launch—‘Driving the Maritime and Blue Economy Sector through Digital Innovation’—could not be more timely. In a world defined by speed, automation, and precision, digital transformation has become an essential pillar of effective governance, institutional efficiency, and global competitiveness,” he said.
Oyetola emphasized that while the ECMS is primarily designed for internal workflow and records management, its impact on service delivery will be profound. “By eliminating paper-based processes, reducing manual handling, and minimizing bureaucratic bottlenecks, this system will strengthen institutional efficiency and enable the council to deliver predictable, transparent, and high-quality regulatory services. It represents a decisive shift toward a more agile, accountable, and technology-enabled organization.”
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He further noted that automated workflows, secure approvals, centralized information management, and real-time task tracking would drastically reduce turnaround times, ensuring timely and professional execution of NSC interventions. The minister linked the initiative to broader trade facilitation reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including improvements in the Apapa trade corridor, port modernization programmes, and the establishment of Inland Dry Ports across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Corroborating the minister’s remarks, SGF Senator Akume highlighted that the ECMS is a sophisticated internal tool intended to eliminate inefficiencies inherent in paper-based processes. “By strengthening internal coordination, documentation integrity, and operational transparency, the system will greatly enhance the Council’s overall regulatory effectiveness and the quality of service delivered to stakeholders,” he said, noting that the system’s 30-tier workflow, secure approvals, and centralized repository reflect global best practices.
Dr. Wilson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service, underscored that Nigeria’s civil service is now fully digitized in line with the federal government’s transformation agenda. “Digital innovation is no longer a luxury. It is a defining infrastructure of national growth. The future of public service, trade facilitation, regulatory efficiency, and revenue optimization is digital. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has taken a decisive step to secure that future,” she said. She highlighted ongoing initiatives such as ServiceWise GPT, a homegrown AI platform, and a digital compendium of federal circulars, reinforcing transparency and accessibility in government operations.
Earlier, NSC Executive Secretary Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima emphasized that the ECMS marks a transformative moment in the council’s history. “The system provides automated workflows, secure digital approvals, a unified archive of documents, and real-time performance dashboards. These features will ensure tasks are executed promptly, responsibilities tracked, and information safeguarded,” he said. Akutah commended the council’s teams, technical partners, and stakeholders for their dedication, while urging staff to fully embrace the system and maintain the discipline required for a modern, efficient, and paperless regulatory environment.
The ECMS launch by NSC is widely seen as a leading example for other agencies and ministries, demonstrating the federal government’s commitment to building a digitally empowered, transparent, and globally competitive public service.
