Abuja: The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, has announced a historic milestone, confirming that all 31 Federal Ministries and Departments have achieved full compliance in digitalising their work processes. Walson-Jack made this disclosure on Wednesday night in Abuja during the ‘Paperless Civil Service Gala and Awards Night.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organised to celebrate the successful transition from manual, paper-based operations to digital governance. In her keynote address, the HCSF traced the evolution of the reform, noting that the journey towards paperless service was a product of successive efforts. She emphasised that digitalisation is not about replacing people with machines, but about empowering people to work better, faster, and smarter.
Mrs. Walson-Jack credited her predecessors, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita and Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, for laying the foundation through the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plans (FCSSIP 2017-2020 and 2021-2025). She expressed delight that digitalisation, once considered a distant goal, has now become a reality. Upon assuming office in August 2024, she noted that only three ministries had fully digitised. However, through the establishment of ‘War Rooms’ designed for rapid execution and accountability, the service entered a ‘final sprint’ to meet the 2025 deadline.
Highlighting the tangible results of the reform, the HCSF listed several home-grown technological landmarks. Over 100,828 official email accounts were created, saving the government billions of naira in external licensing fees and securing official communication. The Service-Wise GPT, an AI tool trained on Public Service Rules, recorded over 25,000 interactions. The Online Compendium of Circulars ended the frustrating hunt for physical documents, and the Federal Civil Service Online Academy was launched to modernise staff training services online.
She stressed that the transition is anchored on the Nigeria First policy, ensuring all digital solutions are locally developed to boost the economy and showcase indigenous ingenuity. Walson-Jack noted that this achievement positions Nigeria as a bold example for African public services and emphasised the importance of digitalisation for remaining competitive.
Walson-Jack expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, noting that his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda provided the political will to move reforms from PowerPoint presentations to real institutional change. She also commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, and the Permanent Secretaries, who resisted reverting to old, paper-dependent methods. While acknowledging early technical glitches, she urged civil servants to remain persistent.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, described the transition to a paperless civil service as a ‘defining milestone’ in Nigeria’s journey towards modern governance. Akume praised the HCSF’s leadership for aligning policy with execution and staying committed to the FCSSIP (2021-2025). He added that the awards sent a ‘powerful message’ that excellence within the civil service would always be recognised and rewarded.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the gala night served as a platform to honour individuals and MDAs that championed digital adoption despite institutional resistance. The event, sponsored by Galaxy Backbone Ltd. and Crown Interactives Ltd., was attended by top government officials, including the SGF, cabinet ministers, and members of the diplomatic corps.