Edo State leads the way in digital transformation of civil service in Nigeria

Edo State, Nigeria, is on the verge of becoming the country’s first fully e-governed state. The eagerly anticipated transition to a paperless civil service started today, September 1, 2023. Under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, the state government has been relentless in its pursuit of digital transformation, setting an inspiring example for other states across Nigeria to emulate.

Well ahead of the official launch date, Edo State initiated steps to prepare its workforce for the transition to paperless operations. The state introduced public and civil servants to the concept of electronic governance (e-governance) through a dedicated platform. This initiative not only included investments in digital infrastructure but also extensive training to ensure employees are proficient in using new technologies.

One of the primary motivations behind Edo State’s move towards e-governance is the anticipation of significant efficiency gains. By eliminating paper-based processes, the state aims to reduce backlog and free up government resources. Notably, over six million documents have already been archived digitally, with the ultimate goal of making state operations and public interactions predominantly digital.

In line with the state government’s commitment to digital transformation, Edo State has been taking steps to expand digital skills access. Fiber optics have been laid across all 18 local government areas, enabling residents to acquire digital skills tailored for the workplace. This move represents a commitment to ensuring that every segment of society benefits from the opportunities created by the digital revolution.

While Edo State leads the way, the federal government of Nigeria has also shown a strong commitment to going paperless. TechCabal reports investments of N152 billion in digitisation in 2021 and the endorsement of a harmonisation framework for the digital economy and e-governance initiatives at the federal and state levels reflect a nationwide push towards digital transformation. The Head of Civil Service’s declaration that all ministries, departments, and agencies will be fully digitised by 2025 reinforces this momentum.