Shippers Council Goes Paperless, Unveils Enterprise Content Mgt System To Ease Workflow

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has unveiled the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), a sophisticated internal tool designed to eliminate deficiencies, delays that often accompany paper-based processes and manual workflows, thereby becoming the first agency under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to go paperless.

The Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) project was done in compliance with the presidential directive mandating all ministries, departments, and agencies to transition to digital records management by December 31, 2025.

Speaking at the event in Abuja on Tuesday, Secretary General of the Federation Dr. George Akume assured Nigerians that the launch of ECMS will strengthen internal coordination, documentation integrity, and operational transparency.

He said the system will greatly enhance the Council’s overall regulatory effectiveness and the quality of service ultimately delivered to stakeholders.

According to him, “These features will ensure greater accountability, reduce discretionary bottlenecks, and enable the council to respond to industry challenges with speed and precision.”

While speaking, the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola said the ECMS 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.

Also, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack lauded the Nigeria Shippers Council for being the first agency to comply with the presidential directive of going paperless by launching the ECMS in the ministry, and the only agency that has invited her for the launch of ECMS.

She said “the Nigerian Shippers Council, as you all know, is the apex regulatory body responsible for protecting the interests of shippers, ensuring efficient and effective maritime trade, monitoring port operations, enhancing competitiveness, and facilitating smooth logistics 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 optimization.”

The executive secretary/CEO of the Nigeria Shippers Council, Dr Akuta Pius Ukeyima while speaking, explained that the ECMS is a core pillar of our digital transformation agenda. It is an internal workflow and records management tool designed to eliminate the delays, manual file movement, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that have long hampered public institutions.

He said the system provides automated workflows, secure digital approvals, a unified document archives, and real-time performance dashboards. According to him, “These features will ensure that tasks are executed promptly, responsibilities are clearly tracked, and information is safeguarded and easily accessible.

“This launch is our response to the Presidential directive and the Head of Service’s mandate for all MDAs to digitise administrative operations by the end of 2025 fully.”