By Musa Ibrahim
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has officially joined the ranks of federal agencies operating on the 1Government Cloud Enterprise Content Management System (1Gov ECMS), in a move that signals a decisive step toward Nigeria’s paperless government agenda.
The activation, which recently took place at the ministry’s headquarters in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, aligns with the Nigeria First Policy and reflects the administration’s broader efforts to modernise public institutions.
At the launch, Dr Bernard Doro, Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, emphasised the importance of the digital transition in enhancing government responsiveness. “This innovation aligns squarely with the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the administration’s vision to digitalise government processes, reduce inefficiencies and make public institutions more responsive to citizens’ needs,” he said.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the ministry’s adoption of the 1Gov ECMS as a major milestone for public service delivery. She highlighted that the move enables automated workflows, reduces reliance on paper, and allows real-time collaboration across departments. She encouraged other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to embrace the platform, praising Galaxy Backbone Limited for providing the digital infrastructure critical to the initiative.
“This ministry, with its vital mission of supporting the vulnerable, is now embracing paperless processes and I say this is a milestone,” she noted. Dr. Walson-Jack stated that 19 ministries already operating on the 1Gov ECMS would no longer accept paper-based correspondences, marking a firm step toward Nigeria’s fully digital civil service.
Data Sovereignty and Digital Infrastructure
Galaxy Backbone Limited, the federal government’s key digital infrastructure provider, has played a central role in the 1Gov ECMS rollout. Its Managing Director and CEO, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to equipping public institutions with modern digital tools. He noted that the 1Government Cloud platform ensures all government data, including confidential and sensitive information, remains within Nigeria and under local legal oversight.
“The government has invested heavily in digital tools, and the 1Government Cloud ensures these resources are fully utilised. We are confident that the target of a fully paperless civil service by December 31, 2025, is achievable,” Prof. Adeyanju said.
During a technical presentation at the launch, the Programme Director of GBB 1Government Cloud, Mr Wumi Oghoetuoma, welcomed the ministry to the platform. He explained that the system would strengthen workflow automation, enhance data security, and improve coordinated service delivery. “This move signals the ministry’s readiness to adopt modern, secure, and efficient digital tools,” he said.
A Vision for a Paperless Civil Service
The 1Government Cloud initiative was unveiled by Galaxy Backbone in May 2024 as part of an ambitious plan to digitise 70 percent of federal government services by 2025. At its core is the 1Gov framework, a software and infrastructure solution designed to bring MDAs into a unified digital environment. Beyond improving service delivery, the initiative places strong emphasis on data sovereignty, ensuring that Nigeria retains control over its digital assets. This focus aligns with broader national efforts to safeguard sovereignty in the digital age.
Several federal ministries and agencies have already transitioned to the platform as part of the government’s sovereign digitalisation drive. Pioneering MDAs include the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, the Ministry of Solid Minerals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Federal Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Notably, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has also migrated to the 1Gov Cloud ECMS, reinforcing unified workflow management and signalling progress toward a fully paperless civil service. Other ministries are steadily following suit. The Federal Ministry of Environment, for instance, recently flagged off its 1Gov Cloud digitalisation programme, onboarding 15 offices and departments, activating 316 workflows, and creating 890 user accounts. Similarly, the Ministry of Steel Development has launched its Enterprise Content Management System on the platform, demonstrating growing adoption across diverse sectors.
