The Federal Government has mandated all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the civil service to fully digitise their operations and eliminate paper-based processes by December 31, 2025.
The directive was announced by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, during a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday. The briefing was held ahead of the 2025 International Civil Service Week and African Public Service Day, scheduled for June 25–26.
According to Walson-Jack, the transition to a paperless civil service is a key deliverable under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25), which is set to conclude this year. The strategy focuses on digital transformation, improved performance management, and enhanced service delivery across government institutions.
“This is not just a goal—we’ve already led by example. The Office of the Head of the Civil Service has been operating paperlessly even before I took office,” she said.
Walson-Jack urged all MDAs to fast-track the transition, noting that the move is essential for modernizing governance and boosting efficiency.
“The race to December 31 is on. With sustained effort and by God’s grace, the entire civil service will be paperless by the end of 2025,” she added.
Progress and Challenges
So far, 11 MDAs, including the Federal Ministry of Health, have implemented enterprise content and Performance Management Systems (PMS) as part of the digital shift. However, Walson-Jack acknowledged that some agencies are struggling, particularly due to limited access to capital funding, which has slowed full implementation.
Despite these setbacks, she emphasized that digital systems are being adopted at various levels and that partnerships are being developed to support MDAs through the transition.
“It’s not just about eliminating paper; it’s about creating automated workflows that improve accountability and service delivery across the board,” she explained.
With the 2025 deadline looming, the federal government is reinforcing its commitment to embed digital tools at the heart of public administration—signaling a major milestone in Nigeria’s public sector reform.
