…as NCC and BPSR collaborate to embark on the digitization processes

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) Nigeria, led by Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan has revealed there is an ongoing process to ensure the full digitalization of the work processes of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government of Nigeria by 2025.

Dr. Yemi-Esan announced this recently during a Public Service Lecture to commemorate 2023 Civil Service Week with the theme: “Digitalisation of Work Processes in the Public Service: A Gateway to Efficient Resource Utilisation and National Development.”

Dr. Yemi-Esan explained that both the present and future of Public Service lies in digitalization, as a veritable tool for its effective functioning, and the delivery of prompt, citizen-centric, and cost-effective public services.

She explained that the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP25) is designed to transform the Federal Civil Service into a world-class Service.

It was also noted that this engenders the need for digitalization as the 5th pillar (Enterprise Content Management) and also an enabler of the plan.

She said: “We all recognize that there is a global shift towards digitalization and the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to automate complex processes, improve the accuracy of decision-making and complement human intelligence with rich analytics and pattern prediction capabilities to improve the quality, effectiveness, and creativity of employee decisions.

“In this regard, the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation initiated
and has sustained intensive engagements with the brass of its stakeholders, especially the organized private sector and development partners to adequately drive the digitalization of our work processes and other aspects of the Plan.

“All official correspondence in the form of memos, internal and external circulars, are processed electronically through the ECM Solution and this is one of the great milestones being celebrated today.

“From the Service-wide perspective, all MDAs are running with the digitalization program and are at different stages of implementation; with a mandate for all to achieve full migration by the end of 2025.”

Dr. Yemi-Esan also affirmed that in the process of the digitalization drive, her Office has attained the International Standard Organization (ISO) 9001:2015.

She revealed that her Office had already gone digital in all its work processes, adding that many MDAs have gone advanced in the actualization of full digitalization by 2025.

Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Tukur Bello Ingawa, underscored the need for a digitalized public service, adding that efforts of the Federal Government would be a waste if the public servants fail to embrace it.

“It is expedient for the Nigerian Civil Service to adopt technology, particularly considering the fact that the level of development of any nation is increasingly an indication of the performance or non-performance of its public service.”

In a similar vein, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly work towards accelerating the digitization reform process in government.

This collaboration is consistent with NCC’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) to partner and collaborate with relevant stakeholders.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta said the MoU will enhance efficiency and productivity as it adequately captures the roles of enabling policies and implementing institutions, which are key features of digital transformation.

“Indeed, the transition will be worth it, as the process is associated with efficiency, which naturally results from operating a paperless system of governance or administration at the level of entities such as the Bureau for Public Service Reforms and the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Danbatta said.

“We attach a lot of importance to the way and manner we collaborate with sister agencies of government to give translation or to ensure the actualization of that important item of our Strategic Vision Plan, that is strategic collaboration and partnership, it explains why we are signing this Memorandum of Understanding”, he explained.