FG unveils NSC enterprise content management system

The federal government on Tuesday launched the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) in a bid to improve the efficiency of service delivery in the Nigerian maritime sector using digital tools.

Speaking at the unveiling of the ECMS in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the ECMS is not an external-facing service platform.

He said, “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”.

He noted that “these features will ensure greater accountability, reduce discretionary bottlenecks, and enable the Council to respond to industry challenges with speed and precision.

“I commend Dr Akutah for leading the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to demonstrate leadership among MDAs in fulfilling the Presidential mandate on digital records management.

“This effort contributes directly to the Ease of Doing Business reforms and to the broader strategy of modernising government operations.”

Also speaking at the launch, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, stated that “today’s event marks an important milestone in our national journey towards a modern, efficient, and technology-driven maritime administration, one that is fully aligned with global standards and responsive to the demands of contemporary trade.

“The theme, ‘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. It is at the heart of our strategy to reposition Nigeria as a leading maritime nation.

“The ECMS we unveil today is a critical component of this transformation. Although designed primarily for internal workflow and records management, its impact on service delivery will be far-reaching. By eliminating paper-based processes, reducing manual handling, and minimising 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 towards a more agile, accountable, and technology-enabled organisation”.

He noted that ‘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.

“This transformation aligns seamlessly with the Ministry’s broader agenda of improving port performance, reducing inefficiencies, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade” he explained.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, said, “This launch is our response to the Presidential directive and the Head of Service’s mandate for all MDAs to fully digitize administrative operations by the end of 2025.

“We are proud to be among the early adopters demonstrating that this transition is not only possible but essential.”

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