The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has projected a potential ₦900 billion annual revenue boost as the federal government clears the way for the rollout of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), a long-delayed cargo monitoring system.
Executive Secretary of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the commencement of the procurement process for the ICTN, signaling renewed momentum for its implementation.
Akutah disclosed this while responding to questions at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos, expressing confidence that the system will go live before the end of the year.
“We have already obtained the approval of Mr. President to go for the procurement process for the ICTN, and that is ongoing. We are very hopeful that before the end of this year, we should come up with the ICTN”, he said.
The ICTN, also known as the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN), is a mandatory pre-arrival cargo documentation system designed to track shipments in real time, enhance port security, ensure advance cargo declaration, and curb fraud.
Despite its benefits, the initiative has suffered repeated setbacks in the past due to strong opposition from freight forwarders and licensed customs agents, who argued that it could impose additional financial burdens on port users.
Akutah acknowledged the history of failed attempts but assured stakeholders that the current administration is determined to break the cycle of implementation and suspension.
According to him, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, is taking deliberate steps to resolve all outstanding concerns before the final rollout.
“All of you know that we have a history of implementation and suspension. The minister is taking all necessary steps to ensure that any implementation under his leadership will not be suspended”, he said.
He added that extensive efforts are ongoing to address operational challenges and secure stakeholder buy-in to ensure a smooth and sustainable implementation.
Industry analysts said the ICTN, which serves as an economic intelligence and cargo tracking tool, could significantly enhance transparency, plug revenue leakages, and strengthen Nigeria’s port efficiency.
The anticipated rollout is also seen as a key step toward aligning Nigeria’s maritime operations with global standards while boosting government revenue and investor confidence in the sector.