Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has insisted that in line with the Nigeria First Policy, every digital initiative, system, and technology implemented in the Civil Service must prioritise locally developed solutions, support Nigerian expertise, build local capacity, and rely on homegrown innovation.
According to her, this would make the Public Service not only deliver efficiently, but also strengthen the nation’s economy and showcase the ingenuity of Nigerians.
The HCSF also said that countries that fail to digitise their Public Services are not merely slow, but uncompetitive and increasingly irrelevant.
She said that there is little or no option left in today’s interconnected environment other than digitalisation.
Walson-Jack noted that governments are embracing digital transformation as a powerful equaliser, using technology to leapfrog legacy systems, improve service delivery, reduce corruption, and connect more effectively with citizens.
She noted that Nigeria’s progress in digitalisation of its Civil Service demonstrates that African Public Services can innovate boldly and deliver reforms that match global standards.
Walson-Jack stated this at the Paperless Civil Service Gala in Abuja on Wednesday where excellence in the nation’s workforce was recognised in presence of ministers, and development partners.
She recalled that the outbreak of COVID-19 was the turning point when digitalisation moved from a recommended pilot to a mandated policy.
Recounting her journey, Walson-Jack acknowledged the work done by her predecessors but added that as at 2024 when she was appointed, only about three Ministries and Extra-Ministerial Departments had fully digitised their work processes.
“At the same time, FCSSIP25 was approaching its final phase, and I realised quickly that if we continued at a gentle pace, we would reach the end of the strategy with impressive plans but modest results, which was not an option,” she said.
“That was why the Seven War Rooms (pillars and enablers mention)were inaugurated, not as spaces for long speeches, but as spaces where problems were confronted, excuses were retired, and results were demanded.
“I can tell you that what has come out of those War Rooms has been nothing short of miraculous.
“today…, these reforms have been consolidated and accelerated with urgency and discipline, ensuring continuity and sustainability while delivering measurable outcomes.
“The Digitalisation War Room in particular has driven the transformation from aspiration to delivery, and the evidence is now visible across the Service.
“GOVMail, driven through this coordinated push, now stands at 100,828 official email accounts as of this evening, providing secure
government communication at scale, strengthening sovereignty over official correspondence, improving responsiveness, and saving the government billions of naira previously spent on external licences.
“Equally important, core management systems are being modernised, not as side projects but as the backbone of a performing Civil Service.
“The Performance Management System, PMS, is now automated in most Ministries, strengthening accountability and aligning performance with national priorities.
“The Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis, PASGA, is digitising personnel records and skills data across the Service, giving government, for the first time, a living, evidence-based view of its workforce who we are, what we can do, where our gaps are, and how to plan recruitment, training.
“In line with the Nigeria First Policy, every digital initiative, system, and technology we implement must prioritise locally developed solutions, support Nigerian expertise, build local capacity, and rely on homegrown innovation wherever possible, so that our Public Service not only delivers efficiently, but also strengthens our economy and showcases the ingenuity of our own people,” she said.
Nigeria First Policy: Civil Service must prioritise locally developed solutions – Walson-Jack
