ECMS seeks to eliminate inefficiencies and delays linked to paper-based processes, and manual workflows in the country’s public institutions.
By Blue Africa News
Service delivery in Nigeria’s maritime sector is set for a major transformation, after the Federal Government unveiled the enterprise content management system (ECMS).
The unveiling by the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in Abuja on December 09 was pegged on modernising public‑service delivery and improving the ease of doing business in the country’s maritime sector, by enhancing operational efficiency and eliminating administrative delays.
ECMS is designed to eliminate inefficiencies and delays linked to paper-based processes, and manual workflows in the country’s public institutions, among those in charge of the maritime sector such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
“The launch is timely and strategic,” said Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s minister of marine and blue economy during the unveiling, as quoted by NSC in a statement.
“Technology is now essential for transparency and competitiveness in the maritime sector. The Shippers’ Council’s digital leap strengthens the foundation for more efficient service delivery,” he added.
Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary and CEO of the NSC, explained that ECMS is a core pillar of the Council’s transformation agenda, designed to eradicate manual file movement and long‑standing administrative bottlenecks, in line with the Federal government’s digital transformation agenda.
“The launch responds directly to the Federal Government’s digital mandate, and the council is among early adopters, proving that full digital transition is achievable and essential,” he said, as reported by Premium Times, Nigeria.
Launch of the enterprise content management system in Abuja, Nigeria, on December 09, 2025. Photo courtesy: Nigerian Shippers Council
With rapid evolution of the maritime and trade ecosystems globally, observers say Nigeria must not be left behind in digital transformation and modernization of its public service.
According to Favour Umeh, a maritime intelligence and logistics solutions expert, one of the most significant steps taken toward digital transformation in the West African nation in the recent past has been the Nigeria Customs Service’s implementation of the single portal for trade transactions, dubbed B’Odogwu.
The homegrown digital customs management system was introduced in late 2024, with early results pointing to an effective future in doing business and revenue collection.
Within eight months of deployment at the Ports and Terminals Multiservice Limited (PTML), Umeh noted, the platform facilitated over ₦230 billion (approximately US$159 million) in revenue collection.
“Cargo clearance times have plummeted to 2-8 hours in optimal conditions, a transformation that directly translates to reduced demurrage costs, improved supply chain efficiency, and enhanced trade competitiveness. B’Odogwu represents more than a software upgrade; it embodies strategic autonomy,” said the expert in a recent LinkedIn post.
However, implementation of the B’Odogwu has not been without challenges. In August 2025 for instance, the platform suffered a significant cyberattack that paralyzed cargo clearance operations across Nigerian ports for approximately two days, leading to a substantial accumulation of demurrage charges.
In response, the Nigeria Customs Service restored the platform and implemented enhanced security protocols, with the expert noting that “digital transformation without robust cybersecurity is building on quicksand.”
“This wasn’t merely a technical glitch; it was a deliberate attempt to compromise national trade infrastructure, with direct implications for revenue collection, food security, pharmaceutical access, and industrial supply chains,” he said.
Umeh called for collaboration between African governments, private sector and cybersecurity experts to safeguard digital assets, adding that ensuring the integrity and continuous availability of platforms managing national economic lifelines is non-negotiable.
“Without such protection, the gains of modernization risk being undermined by operational disruption and loss of stakeholder confidence.”
“The future of maritime trade depends on a dual commitment to innovation and vigilance. B’Odogwu is a powerful step towards a more efficient, transparent, and digitally integrated customs process in Nigeria, setting a benchmark for the region,” he concluded.
The Nigerian government says platforms such as B’Odogwu and the enterprise content management system, are part of wider reforms aimed to stimulate trade and deepen economic inclusion across the country.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News