Joel Ajayi
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, has announced that Nigeria’s civil service will fully transition to a paperless system by December 31, 2025. This marks a major milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing public sector reforms.
Speaking on Wednesday in world press conference toward the 2025 International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, Walson-Jack emphasized that the shift to digital operations is aimed at modernizing administrative processes, enhancing efficiency, and promoting transparency across all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
“This administration is committed to modernizing the civil service. The full adoption of digital work processes by the end of 2025 will eliminate manual file movement, reduce delays, and improve service delivery to citizens,” she stated.
The paperless initiative is anchored on the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system, which has already been successfully piloted in several MDAs. The full rollout will include digital record-keeping, electronic memo systems, and workflow automation.
To ensure a smooth and sustainable transition, Walson-Jack noted that extensive training and capacity-building programs are being implemented for civil servants. She added that the initiative will also help reduce operational costs and support the government’s environmental sustainability goals.
Stakeholders at the conference praised the announcement, describing it as a bold and necessary step toward building a smarter and more responsive public service.
In her remarks on the 2025 Civil Service Week, Mrs. Walson-Jack highlighted a series of events designed to celebrate excellence and strengthen the service’s reform agenda.
“The 2025 Civil Service Week, a significant event in our calendar, will feature a series of spiritually enriching, intellectually engaging, and socially rewarding activities. These are designed to celebrate excellence in public service, reflect on reforms, and promote a unified vision for a stronger civil service,” she said.
Key events include the commissioning of the remodelled reception area at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, a Special Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque, and a Thanksgiving Service at the Family Worship Centre in Wuye. Other highlights include a study tour of the Federal Civil Service and Abuja by Heads of Civil Service from the states, a welcome cocktail for ICSC speakers, wellness activities, a social get-together for civil servants, and a two-day International Civil Service Conference (ICSC). The week will culminate in a Rewards and Recognition Awards Ceremony.
“The Study Tour for the State Heads of Service will provide a valuable platform for exchanging reform ideas and sharing innovative strategies, thereby deepening federal-state collaboration in advancing the quality and integrity of public administration,” she added.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Service Policies and Strategies Office, Dr. Deborah Odoh, reiterated the shared vision for a modern and effective civil service.
“Our vision is to build a world-class civil service, and I must appreciate the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for her exemplary leadership. Since assuming office in August, she has not just led from the front but propelled us into a new era of reform and excellence.”
“There are a number of incredible new initiatives that have been introduced—many of which you are already part of and familiar with. We are grateful to God as we celebrate this year’s Civil Service Week. Our collective desire is to continue making meaningful progress so that, together, we can achieve the Nigeria of our dreams,” Odoh concluded.
