FG To Fully Digitalise Civil Service By 2024

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has stated that the full digitalization of processes in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) by 2025 will result in an automatic reduction in the cost of governance.

Speaking at a one-day retreat on digitalization for the Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Yemi-Esan emphasized the need for MDAs to leverage technology to drive national goals and meet the 2025 deadline outlined in the Federal Civil Service and Strategy Implementation Plan, 2021-2025.

She highlighted the benefits of digitalization, including cost reduction, waste reduction, and improved information provision, urging MDAs to ensure uniformity and interoperability of data.

The retreat aimed to foster the understanding and commitment of key stakeholders to the digitalization agenda.

VerseNews reports that this was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Press of the OHCSF, Muhammed Ahmed.

It reads, “Yemi-Esan who spoke on the theme “towards the digitalization of the public service by 2025,” stressed that all the FCSSIP25 pillars are anchored on digitalization, insisting that for the service to run with these pillars, it must digitalize its work processes. She urged MDAs to leverage on technology to drive the national goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

“She expressed dissatisfaction that Nigeria is lagging behind in terms of digitalisation, as 90% of governments in the world have since gone digital and are presently deploying Artificial Intelligence solutions.

“Re-emphasizing on the gains of going digital, such as reduction in cost of governance, waste reduction, as well as the provision of information at the backend with saved data, she urged MDAs to ensure uniformity and interoperability of data in order to achieve common set goals.”

In their goodwill messages, the representative of the Aig-Imoukhoude Foundation, Chioma Njoku, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to ensuring that the service works for the good of its citizens, while the Director-General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, confirmed that digitalization is the only solution that will bring the entire system together.

He expressed optimism on the successful achievement of its implementation in 2025.

In another presentation by the Director, Information and Communication Technology, Adeniyi Dada, who took the audience through the “government e-mail initiative”, revealed that the civil service is set to meet the 2025 target.

“He also affirmed that MDAs are already aware of the government e-mails with the increase in the number of e-mail slots allocated by GBB from 10,000, 40,000 to 100,000 from 2009 to date,” the statement read.