The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, has described Nigeria’s shift to a paperless civil service as a “defining milestone” in the nation’s journey toward modern governance.
Speaking at the Paperless Civil Service Gala and Awards Night in Abuja, Akume said the move away from manual documentation is more than a technical upgrade, calling it a cultural revolution aimed at eliminating bureaucracy and enhancing transparency.
“The transition to paperless work processes is not merely a technological upgrade; it is a fundamental shift in culture, mindset, and service delivery. It represents efficiency over bureaucracy, transparency over opacity, and accountability over discretion,” he said.
Akume emphasized that digital governance is now essential for fiscal discipline and effective decision-making, noting that the digital transformation forms a core pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The SGF commended the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), led by Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, for aligning policy with execution and sustaining the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021–2025). He added that the awards sent a strong message that excellence within the civil service will always be recognized and rewarded.
Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone (GBB), said the transition to a paperless civil service represents a landmark in Nigeria’s digital transformation. He praised Walson-Jack’s leadership for inspiring confidence, ownership, and collective action across the public service.
“This places efficiency, transparency, and service excellence at the heart of governance. Today, almost all MDAs have either commenced or are actively transitioning their operations through the GBB 1Government Cloud solution, laying a solid foundation for a smarter, more responsive public service,” Adeyanju said.
He added that GBB and its partners are committed to ensuring full digitization across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to unlock the true benefits of a paperless government.
“A paperless civil service is not just a technological shift; it is a critical enabler of accountability, innovation, and inclusive growth,” he noted.
Beatrice Eyong, a representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria, highlighted digitization as a key area for partnership. She said such initiatives can transform skills into jobs and accelerate inclusive development.
The event, sponsored by GBB, also honored MDAs that have championed digital adoption despite institutional challenges.
