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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Federal Government has declared a complete shift from paper-based operations, confirming that all 31 federal ministries and departments have now fully adopted digital work processes—officially marking the nation’s transition into a paperless civil service.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, announced the milestone in Abuja on Wednesday night during the Paperless Civil Service Gala and Awards Night. She described the development as a major turning point in public sector reform, noting that the initiative had successfully moved government operations away from manual documentation to full digital governance.
Reflecting on the journey, Walson-Jack explained that the paperless transformation was the result of determined efforts carried through multiple administrations. She emphasised that the goal was to improve productivity across government and not to displace workers.
“Digitalisation, which for many years sounded like a good idea we would get to ‘one day,’ has finally arrived,” she said.
“I am delighted that we can now speak about it not as a concept, but as reality.”
She praised former heads of service Winifred Oyo-Ita and Folasade Yemi-Esan for laying the groundwork through earlier Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plans for 2017–2020 and 2021–2025.
Walson-Jack recalled that upon assuming office in August 2024, only three ministries had achieved complete digitisation. According to her, the introduction of specialised digital “war rooms” helped accelerate implementation and ensure accountability ahead of the 2025 target.
She further explained that there are notable gains from the reform, including the creation of more than 100,828 official government email accounts, stressing that the move had saved Nigeria billions of naira in software licensing fees.
Walson-Jack also noted progress through the deployment of Service-Wise GPT—an AI system trained on public service regulations—which has recorded over 25,000 interactions. She added that the Online Compendium of Circulars has ended the era of physically searching for documents.
The Head of Service further disclosed that the government has launched the Federal Civil Service Online Academy to upgrade staff training, saying the entire transformation was anchored on the Nigeria First principle, with all digital platforms built locally.
“This is a defining moment. Countries that fail to go digital with their public services are not merely slow; they are uncompetitive and increasingly irrelevant,” she said.
“Nigeria is now setting a bold example for African public services.”
Walson-Jack expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for backing the digital vision under his Renewed Hope agenda. She also thanked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and permanent secretaries for supporting the reforms.
Akume, who delivered remarks at the event, hailed the achievement as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s march toward modern governance. He applauded the Office of the Head of the Civil Service for successfully translating policy into practical results and noted that awards presented at the ceremony reflected a government culture that values excellence.
The occasion drew high-level participation, including ministers, senior public officials and members of the diplomatic community, and was supported by Galaxy Backbone Limited and Crown Interactives Limited.