The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, emphasised that Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will have no excuse for not enhancing their digitalization efforts by 2024.
She stated that all MDAs had the opportunity to ensure adequate budgetary allocation in the 2024 budget for the digitalization process, aiming to meet the 2025 deadline outlined in the Federal Civil Service and Strategy and Implementation Plan, 2021-2025 (FCSSIP25).
Speaking at a one-day Retreat on Digitalization for the Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries held in Abuja, she situated the theme as “Towards the Digitalization of the Public Service by 2025.” Yemi-Esan stressed that all FCSSIP25 pillars are anchored on digitalization and insisted that for the Service to align with these pillars, it must digitalize its work processes.
She urged MDAs to leverage technology to drive the national goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration. Yemi-Esan expressed dissatisfaction with Nigeria lagging behind in digitalization, pointing out that 90% of governments worldwide have gone digital and are deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions.
Emphasizing the gains of going digital, such as a reduction in the cost of governance and waste, as well as the provision of information at the back end with saved data, she urged MDAs to ensure uniformity and interoperability of data to achieve common set goals.
Engr. Farouk Yusuf Yabo, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office, OHCSF, stated that the Head of Service is committed to ensuring the Service works digitally, with OHCSF carrying everyone along to achieve that goal.
In a presentation delivered by Engr. Yabo, he revealed that the journey to digitalization has already begun. He spoke on the vision, strategies, and what the OHCSF has done so far in this regard, highlighting the importance of digitalization, including cost management, sovereignty, globalisation, data security, transparency, and interoperability.
During the question, comment, and answer session, Permanent Secretaries suggested cyber security training, standardization of the internet, and for GBB to improve the provision of quality internet to Civil Servants. Other suggestions included budget allocation for monitoring MDAs, making ICT independent, and inter-Ministerial recruitment to address capacity gaps.
Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), urged MDAs to fast-track the implementation of their digitalization processes by engaging with the OHCSF for guidance.
In response, MDAs were requested to be more proactive in streamlining issues that need GBB’s attention and ensure adequate provisions in their budget as digitalization is a priority for the President.
A panel of discussants unanimously agreed that the Federal Civil Service is ready for digitalization, noting the effective use of mobile phones, usage of banking platforms, and working in silos. They emphasized the need for more capacity, unification of data, adequate budgetary resources, training and retraining, and standardization and uniformity of software.
Minister of Communication, Digital Economy, and Innovation, Mr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted the importance of technology in enhancing service delivery and stated that the Eight (8) Presidential Priorities would not be realizable without technology.
He disclosed that the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is the system and capacity needed to deliver services to the public, enabling broad socio-economic activities in a social age. Tijani further stated that the Nigerian populace is critical for achieving the e-government master plan, which supports the Nigerian Digital Service Strategy.
In her closing remarks, the HoSF expressed optimism that the Service is ready to move forward globally. She also mentioned that there would be a report from all MDAs on their progress in digitalization, emphasizing that there should be no excuse for lagging behind.