The Federal Government has announced that the Nigerian Civil Service will transition to a fully paperless system by December 31, 2025, in a major push toward digital governance.
This was disclosed on Wednesday in Abuja by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, during a media briefing to mark the 2025 African Public Service Day and Civil Service Week.
Walson-Jack noted that the digital shift is a key component of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025, which is set to conclude at the end of this year.
“Even before I assumed office, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation had already gone paperless. We are now working to extend this transformation to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs),” she stated.
She revealed that just last week, the Federal Ministry of Health launched its Enterprise Content Management System, becoming the 11th ministry to adopt a paperless model. Other MDAs, she added, are at various stages of implementation.
“We have also engaged partners to support digital transitions in selected ministries. The race to December 31, 2025, is on—and with hard work and God’s grace, the Nigerian Civil Service will be fully paperless by year’s end.”
Global Benchmarking and Reform Collaboration
Highlighting the drive toward global standards, Walson-Jack shared that a recent study tour to Singapore formed part of Nigeria’s efforts to reform its civil service.
“The Singapore study tour was the first major activity conducted under the collaborative framework between the Federal Head of Service and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she explained.
Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the study tour included 20 State Heads of Service and was aimed at benchmarking global best practices to enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.
“This initiative stems from our ongoing intergovernmental collaboration, where we consistently exchange knowledge and ideas to build a more effective civil service nationwide,” Walson-Jack said.
She also outlined activities lined up for the 2025 African Public Service Day and Civil Service Week, aimed at celebrating public service achievements and galvanizing efforts toward a modern, efficient bureaucracy.
