Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, highlighted that the planned full digitalization of all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) by 2025 would inherently reduce the cost of governance.
Addressing the issue during a one-day retreat on digitalization for the Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, she emphasized that MDAs, having been granted the opportunity to ensure adequate budgetary allocation in the 2024 budget, must elevate their efforts towards digitalization by 2024.
One of the key advantages highlighted by Dr. Yemi-Esan is the potential reduction in the cost of governance. By transitioning to a fully digitalized system, the government aims to optimize resources, eliminate paperwork, and enhance productivity across MDAs. This, in turn, is expected to lead to significant cost savings, freeing up funds for other critical areas of national development.
Dr. Yemi-Esan underscored the importance of MDAs taking proactive steps to ensure adequate budgetary allocations for the digitalization process in the 2024 budget. This forward-looking approach is aimed at providing the necessary financial support for the acquisition of technology, the training of personnel, and the implementation of robust digital infrastructure. The call to action signals a sense of urgency and commitment to realizing the digitalization goal within the stipulated timeframe.
The digitalization initiative goes beyond a mere shift from manual to electronic processes. It represents an opportunity for MDAs to embrace innovative solutions that can revolutionize service delivery. From cloud computing to data analytics, the digital transformation opens avenues for leveraging cutting-edge technologies that can enhance decision-making, information sharing, and overall organizational efficiency.
Acknowledging that the success of digitalization hinges on the skills and capacity of the workforce, Dr. Yemi-Esan emphasized the need for comprehensive training programs. Ensuring that civil servants are equipped with the requisite digital skills is crucial for the seamless adoption of new technologies. The government’s commitment to investing in capacity building reflects a holistic approach to digital transformation, recognizing that technology is only as effective as the people who use it.
This urgency aligns with the stipulated deadline of 2025 set in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, 2021-2025, aiming for comprehensive digitalization.
This information was relayed in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement, which was signed by the Director, Press of the OHCSF, Muhammed Ahmed, reads, “Yemi-Esan, who spoke on the theme “towards the digitalization of the public service by 2025,” stressed that all the FCSSIP25 pillars are anchored on digitalization, insisting that for the service to run 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.
“She expressed dissatisfaction that Nigeria is lagging behind in terms of digitalization, as 90% of governments in the world have since gone digital and are presently deploying artificial intelligence solutions.
“Re-emphasising on the gains of going digital, such as reduction in cost of governance and waste reduction, as well as the provision of information at the backend with saved data, she urged MDAs to ensure uniformity and interoperability of data in order to achieve common set goals.”
