The reported ongoing move to fully digitalise the Nigerian civil service by the end of this year should be taken as irreversible, being a bold declaration of intent to shed the vestiges of a manual, often opaque, bureaucracy and embrace a future defined by efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness. Digitalising the civil service is a much-needed critical transformation. And if the declaration is anything to go by, this should not be merely an upgrade, but a fundamental shift befitting of a digital age.
   
A recent report quoted the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Didi Esther Walson-Jack, making this ambition unequivocally clear, setting a December 31, 2025, deadline for the entire service to go paperless. This is a journey Nigeria must complete, for the benefits of a fully digitised civil service are too profound to ignore.
   
According to Walson-Jack, the move is in accordance with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025, which is set to conclude at the end of the year. She noted that digitalisation is a major pillar of the reform plan, and the government is committed to accelerating its implementation across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
   
She said that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has already achieved a paperless operation and is working to support other MDAs to reach the same milestone.
 
Indeed, for too long, the Nigerian civil service has grappled with inefficiencies that have hampered service delivery, fuelled corruption, and eroded public trust. Mountains of physical files, slow processing times, and a lack of real-time data have been the hallmarks of a system ripe for disruption.
 
Digitalisation offers a potent antidote. Imagine online tax filing systems that eliminate queues, comprehensive digital identity platforms simplifying access to social welfare, and automated processes that drastically reduce opportunities for illicit dealings. These are not futuristic pipe dreams but tangible outcomes already being realised in varying degrees by some ministries that have embraced Enterprise Content Management Systems.
  
The economic dividends are equally compelling. A digitalised civil service promises reduced operational costs through automation, diminished paper consumption, and optimised resource allocation. Beyond cost-cutting, it fosters a more productive and agile workforce, enabling civil servants to work more cohesively and efficiently, even remotely. This flexibility is crucial for attracting and retaining talent, and for ensuring continuity of governance in an increasingly dynamic world.
   
However, the path to a fully digitalised civil service is not without its hurdles. Infrastructure deficits, particularly in rural areas, pose a significant challenge to equitable access to digital services. The persistent issue of inadequate power supply can disrupt digital initiatives, while cybersecurity threats necessitate robust protective measures. Perhaps the most critical obstacle lies in human factors: resistance to change, a lack of digital literacy among employees, and the need for a sustained reorientation of attitudes towards technology. The success of this ambitious undertaking hinges not just on technological deployment but on a comprehensive change management strategy that prioritises training, sensitisation, and the development of digital fluency across all levels of the civil service.
   
The good news is that the roadmap is being laid. Initiatives like the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021-2025) underpin this digital push, with ministries already at various stages of going paperless. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is actively working on a National Digital Literacy Framework, aiming for significant digital literacy across the population by 2030, and specifically targeting the workforce readiness of civil servants. NITDA is working to ensure Nigeria attains 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030.
   
These efforts, coupled with partnerships to secure funding for digital transitions, demonstrate a concerted national commitment. To strengthen the digitalisation resolve, information and communications technology services provider, Galaxy Backbone, has expressed readiness to aid the FG’s paperless civil service goal.
  
Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, described the civil service as “the engine room of governance,” adding that the agency’s infrastructure—now extended to 28 states—positions it to scale further support countrywide. “We are committed to providing the technology backbone for the civil service and broader public sector to meet the demands of modern governance,” Adeyanju said.
  
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Adeladan Olarinre, called the engagement an opportunity to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and showcase progress on the government’s digital agenda.
   
Looking at other climes, for instance, the UAE, its journey of digitalising its civil service began in 2001 with the introduction of the electronic currency, eDirham. The transition to eGovernment at the federal level followed in 2011, with a further move to Smart Government in 2013. This comprehensive digital transformation has been a gradual process with milestones achieved over several years, culminating in strategies like the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025.  
   
Checks showed that South Africa’s civil service is currently undergoing digital transformation, with a policy framework being finalised to guide the process. The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) is actively developing a framework to drive this transformation. This includes initiatives like e-filing, which was introduced in 2006 to streamline tax processes. The Public Service Amendment Bill, if passed fully into law, could also be a major step in modernising public administration.  
   
Indeed, in Nigeria, as the December 2025 deadline approaches, it is imperative that all stakeholders—government agencies, civil servants, and citizens—embrace this transformation with unwavering resolve. This is not merely about replacing paper with screens; it is about reimagining governance for a 21st-century Nigeria. It is about fostering a public service that is not only efficient and transparent, but also accountable and responsive to the needs of its citizens. The full digitalisation of Nigeria’s civil service is a monumental undertaking, but one that promises to unlock immense potential, paving the way for a more prosperous, progressive, and digitally empowered nation. The race is on, and Nigeria must cross the finish line.