The federal government has inaugurated the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) System at the ministry of petroleum resources.

It is a digital system to strengthen efficiency, accountability and digital governance in the Federal Public Service.

The ECM system “Go-Live” programme was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja, by Didi Walson-Jack, head of the civil service of the federation (HCSF), alongside Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state petroleum resources (Oil).

Also in attendance were Patience Oyekunle, permanent secretary, ministry of petroleum resources, top management officials of the ministry, HCSF, and the Galaxy Backbone Limited, the custodian of the 1Government Cloud platform.

Mrs Walson-Jack said the initiative placed the ministry on track to comply with the federal government’s directive on the full digitalisation of work processes by Dec. 31, 2025.

According to her, the system will advance Pillar Five of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 2025), which prioritises digitalisation across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Mrs Walson-Jack said the ECM system deployment would fast-track work processes, secure records management and a significant reduction in reliance on paper-based operations, particularly in a ministry with a strategic role in Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security.

She said the ministry occupied a critical position in national development through its responsibility for policy formulation, coordination and oversight of the energy sector, while its operational efficiency directly affected revenue generation, investment and national planning.

According to her, the system represents a deliberate shift in how work is organised, records are managed and decisions are supported, especially given the ministry’s extensive engagement with regulatory agencies, operators and other MDAs.

Mrs Walson-Jack commended the leadership and staffers of the ministry for embracing digital transformation, saying that its success depends on discipline, professionalism and sustained commitment to new work processes.

“With this deployment, the ministry joins other institutions across the Federal Civil Service already using the ECM system to ensure secure records, clear audit trails, efficient workflows and a reliable institutional memory,” she said.

She explained that the system, deployed on the 1Gov Cloud platform, supports electronic approvals, automated workflows and interoperability across government, shifting decision-making from the physical movement of files to timely access to accurate information.

Mrs Walson-Jack added that the project aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which calls for an efficient, accountable and digitally enabled Public Service.

She emphasised that digital transformation goes beyond system deployment, requiring consistent use, adherence to established processes and effective utilisation of complementary digital tools, including Service-Wise GPT and the Compendium of Federal Circulars.

She also acknowledged the Galaxy Backbone Limited, custodian of the 1Gov. Cloud, for its technical expertise and continued partnership in advancing Public Service digitalisation.

Going forward, Mrs Wilson-Jack said paper-based processing in the ministry of petroleum resources should progressively give way to disciplined digital practices, with official correspondence routed through designated registry email platforms.

In his remarks, Mr Lokpobiri described the initiative as a major step towards ending delays associated with manual and analogue work processes, noting that government transactions often suffer setbacks due to physical documentation and in-person approvals.

The minister commended Mrs Walson-Jack for championing the digitalisation of government processes and said the initiative would help the federal government meet the December 31, 2025, deadline for full digitalisation of work processes.

Mr Lokpobiri, while calling for continuous training of civil servants and other stakeholders to ensure effective use of the system, especially among those who are not technologically inclined, congratulated the permanent secretary for the improvements recorded under her leadership.

Earlier, Ms Oyekunle, while describing the ECM as a major milestone in the ministry’s transition from manual, paper-based operations to a modern digital work environment, said its deployment would enhance efficiency, transparency, accountability and service delivery across the ministry.

She said the initiative aligned with the ongoing public service reforms being championed by the Federal Government, particularly the drive towards the digitalisation of work processes in the Federal Civil Service.

The permanent secretary commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for her guidance, leadership and commitment to public service reform, noting that her strategic direction made initiatives such as the ECMS possible.

In his remarks, managing director, Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Ibrahim Adeyanju reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda following the go-live of the Enterprise Content Management System at the ministry.

Ms Adeyanju, represented by Akintayo Bamisaiye, acting group gead, research digital innovation and skills GBB described the occasion as historic, noting that the programme was following a proven approach that guarantees long-term success and measurable impact.

According to him, the personal involvement of the HCSF has ensured the full buy-in of senior government officials, including ministers and permanent secretaries, which he said was consistent with global best practices for large-scale digital transformation. 

He said Galaxy Backbone, as a government-owned ICT infrastructure and services provider, remained fully committed to supporting the federal government’s digital transformation objectives in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the key features, digitalisation programme and implementation framework of the system by Ayodeji Bakare, programme manager, GBB 1 Gov Cloud.

According to Mr Bakare, 158 standard operating procedures have been automated, 14 offices, departments and units keyed in, while 500 accounts have been provisioned on the ECM system.

 (NAN)