President Bola Tinubu has ordered all ministries and extra-ministerial departments across Nigeria to adopt fully digital operations and eliminate paper-based administrative systems.
The directive was issued on Wednesday at the opening of the International Civil Service Conference 2026 in Abuja, where the president emphasised the need for a faster and more accountable public service.
Represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu said Nigeria must move away from outdated bureaucratic practices towards technology-driven governance.
According to the president, the conference theme, “Reforms, Resilience and Results”, symbolised the Federal Government’s determination to achieve tangible outcomes through public sector reforms.
“The theme of this year’s conference is not just a slogan; it is a statement of intent and a measure of our progress,” he said.
Tinubu stated that over the past 11 months the civil service had progressed from policy planning to practical implementation of reforms designed to meet economic realities and citizens’ expectations.
He described the civil service as the “engine room of national transformation”, adding that ongoing reforms were making government institutions more responsive, transparent and efficient.
The president disclosed that 38 ministries and extra-ministerial departments had already transitioned to secure electronic workflow systems as part of the government’s digital transformation agenda.
He said the move reflected Nigeria’s commitment to improving governance efficiency, encouraging innovation and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Tinubu also announced that the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis launched during the 2025 conference was close to completion.
The exercise, he explained, was intended to identify workforce gaps, strengthen institutional capacity and ensure public servants possess the digital skills required for modern governance.
Highlighting broader digital reforms, Tinubu referenced Project BRIDGE – Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth – which he recently presented at the Africa CEO Forum in Rwanda.
He said the initiative would enhance digital connectivity, support businesses, create jobs and improve the efficiency of public institutions.
The president commended Didi Esther Walson-Jack for driving implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025.
He also praised the integration of innovative tools such as Service-Wise GPT, describing it as evidence of visionary leadership and institutional commitment to reform.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s public service transformation was increasingly positioning the country as a benchmark for governance reform across Africa.
He urged delegates attending the conference to ensure reforms become permanent, strengthen accountability mechanisms and use technology to improve citizens’ experiences with government services.
“We must institutionalise resilience so that the progress of today becomes the standard of tomorrow. More importantly, Nigerians are expecting results,” he said.
The conference attracted dignitaries from across Africa and other parts of the world.
