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The federal government, via the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), has officially moved to the ‘1Gov Cloud’ platform. This signifies a significant achievement in its efforts to digitise operations and meets its deadline for a paperless service by the end of 2025.
Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the head of the Civil Service of the Federation made the announcement on Monday, November 11. Specifically, she stated that all ministries and departments must eliminate paper-based workflows by December 31, 2025, as mandatory, not optional.
Fully Paperless Deadline Set for December 31
Speaking further, the Head of Service emphasised the December deadline for civil service operations to go fully paperless.
“By December 31, 2025, all ministries and departments would adopt a paperless system.” “Thus, for us today, the transition to our own local 1Gov Cloud is quite a right step,” she stated.
Walson-Jack conveyed her enthusiasm and appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his dedication to achieving the digitalisation of the service. “What could be better than becoming fully digitalised? I’m really excited” she stated.
Image source: Techpolyp.com
Addressing some misconceptions, the Head of Service clarified that the new digital system does not imply civil servants will be working from home.
“No, that doesn’t imply you can remain in your home and work.”
It simply means that your tasks will be more efficient. You will achieve greater productivity, and the process will be more visible.” “Also, it means that our workflows will now be efficient, and we will no longer waste time on tasks that can be performed more smartly,” she noted.
Also, Walson-Jack highlighted the strategic transition from the former ‘Laserfish’ system to the homegrown ‘1Gov Cloud’ Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS). She presented four main reasons for the shift, with national sovereignty being the primary focus.
“The first reason is the national sovereignty of digital infrastructure. Moving to 1Gov Cloud, therefore, aligns with a national shift to sovereign digitalisation and directly protects Nigeria’s data, platforms and digital future,” Walson-Jack stated.
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Ensuring National Interoperability, Cost-effectiveness, and Quick Adoption in all Ministries
She also highlighted that the new platform, provided by the government-owned Galaxy Backbone Limited, guarantees national interoperability, cost savings, and quicker implementation in all ministries.
Walson-Jack confirmed that the system is comprehensive and intended for all civil servants from Grade Level 3 and above. It will allow them to handle workflows digitally with integrated tools such as GovMail for email. Also, a tool like GovDrive can be used for file access and ‘GovConnect’ for virtual meetings.
She also announced that the ECMS will be integrated with the Performance Management System (PMS) by 2026, thereby significantly enhancing accountability.
“Each task becomes subject to audit.” Each authorisation becomes trackable. Every result turns into a measurable entity. “This is how we ultimately transition from performance based on perception to performance grounded in evidence,” she stated.
To guarantee rapid nationwide implementation, the Head of Service announced that a group of Permanent Secretaries would be selected lead transition. They will be given a two-week timeframe to discuss a standard licensing framework with Galaxy Backbone.
“The date for all ministries and extra-ministerial departments to transition to a paperless system is still 31 December 2025.” “This is not aspirational; this is about authority,” she stated.
Walson-Jack described this drive for a transition as essential for national competitiveness, stating, “We aren’t digitalising for show.” We are embracing digitalisation to create a nation that needs to compete and succeed in the modern world.”
