Shippers’ Council launches ECMS to curb delays, inefficiencies in manual workflows 

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has launched Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) to curb inefficiencies, delays, and opacity associated with paper-based processes and manual workflows.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, described the ECMS as a model for modernising public administration across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the country.

Speaking at the launch of the system in Abuja on Tuesday, Akume noted that the milestone by the NSC signals the government’s commitment to eliminating outdated manual processes and replacing them with efficient, technology-driven systems that support accountability and transparency. 

He said, “The ECMS is not an external-facing service platform. Rather, it is a sophisticated internal tool designed to eliminate the inefficiencies, delays, and opacity that often accompany paper-based processes and manual workflows.

“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 ultimately delivered to stakeholders.

“The system’s audit trails, secure approval processes, workflow automation, and centralised document repository reflect global best practices. These features will ensure greater accountability, reduce discretionary bottlenecks, and enable the Council to respond to industry challenges with speed and precision”.

Akume commended the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, for complying with President Bola Tinubu’s directive on digital records management across the public service. 

The SGF, while stating that the initiative contributes directly to the Ease of Doing Business reforms and to the broader strategy of modernising government operations, encouraged other MDAs to study the NSC’s implementation journey and deploy similar systems to strengthen their internal administrative capabilities.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the newly launched initiative will eliminate paper-based processes, reduce manual handling, and minimise bureaucratic bottlenecks.

He said: “The ECMS will strengthen institutional efficiency and enable the Council to deliver predictable, transparent, and high-quality regulatory services. It represents a decisive shift towards a more agile, accountable, and technology-enabled organisation.

“With automated workflows, secure approvals, centralised information management, and real-time task tracking, the ECMS will significantly reduce turnaround times and ensure that the Council’s interventions are timely and professionally executed”.

He commended NSC for complying with the Presidential directive mandating all MDAs to transition to digital records management by 31st December 2025.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said Nigeria must align with global best practices to remain relevant in the blue economy space. 

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She commended NSC for being the first agency to comply with the presidential directive of going paperless by launching ECMS in the ministry, and the only agency that had invited her to the launch of ECMS.

She described NSC as the apex regulatory body that protects the interests of shippers, ensures efficient and effective maritime trade, and monitors port operations, across the Nigerian marine and blue economy space.

“By coordinating the shipping industry and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks, the council contributes significantly to national trade facilitation, economic growth, and revenue optimisation”. 

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, described the ECMS as an internal workflow and records management tool designed to eliminate manual file movement and bureaucratic bottlenecks that hamper public institutions.

He said: “The system provides automated workflows, secure digital approvals, a unified archive of documents, and real-time performance dashboards. These features will ensure that tasks are executed promptly, responsibilities are clearly tracked, and information is safeguarded and easily accessible”.

He noted that the launch was in response to the Presidential directive and the Head of Service’s mandate for all MDAs to fully digitise administrative operations by the end of 2025. 

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