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Tag: Didi Esther Walson-Jack

  • Aviation, Petroleum ministries to stop use of papers

    Aviation, Petroleum ministries to stop use of papers

    The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) yesterday directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to stop the use of physical papers in all its work processes.

    Speaking in the ministry in Abuja during the launch of the Digital Enterprise Content Management System, the HCSF, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack urged the ministry to comply fully with the digitization of work process by 31st December 2025.

    The event was tagged “Go-Live of the Electronic Content Management System (ECMS) in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.”

    She said, “This development places the Ministry on track to comply with the Federal Government’s directive on the full digitalisation of work processes by 31 December 2025 and advances Pillar Five of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25), which prioritises digitalisation across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.”

    She said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources occupies a critical position in national development, with responsibility for policy formulation, coordination, and oversight in the oil and gas sector. According to her, the ministry’s efficiency directly impacts revenue generation, investment confidence, and national planning.

    Jack explained that the launch is an intentional shift from the management of records and work organizations.

    She said because of the ministry’s constant engagement with the regulatory agencies, it can no longer cope with operational demands.

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    Her words: “Today’s launch, therefore, represents a deliberate shift in how work is organised, records are managed, and decisions are supported. Given the Ministry’s constant engagement with regulatory agencies, operators, and other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, manual processes can no longer meet operational demands.”

    The digital initiative, she said, strengthens the effectiveness of the Public Service by enabling faster work processes, secure record management, and reduced reliance on paper.

    She described it as a significant and timely milestone for a Ministry that plays a strategic role in Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security.

     Jack said the digital transformation, however, does not end with the launch of a system as its success depends on consistent use, adherence to established processes, and sustained digital discipline, including the effective use of tools such as the Service-Wise GPT and the Compendium of Federal Circulars, amongst others.

    She said ultimately the initiative is about service delivery, strengthening coordination, preserving institutional memory, and ensuring that accurate records and timely access to information support policy decisions in the petroleum sector.

    Earlier, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri said the program will fully unlock the potentials of the oil and gas sector.

    He noted that one the sector is successful, it will rub off on the other sector of the economy.

    He urged the HCSF to train some of the minister that that needs digital literacy to comply with the digital initiative.

    Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle said the event signifies the transition from manual, paper-based processes to a modern digital platform that will enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.

    According to her, the achievement aligns with the ongoing public service reforms championed by the Federal Government.

    She expressed gratitude to Lokpobiri for his strong support, noting that his leadership has been instrumental in ensuring the timely deployment of the system.

  • Federal civil service goes paperless

    Federal civil service goes paperless

    • Govt saves billions of naira

    The Federal Government has said its civil service has effectively transitioned from paper-based operations to digital work processes.

    The breakthrough is expected to save billions of naira, curb corruption and improve service delivery.

     The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, announced this yesterday in Abuja at the Paperless Civil Service Gala and Awards Night.

    The HoCSF described the milestone as a defining moment in the service’s reform history.

     She noted that digitisation, which had long been discussed but was slow to materialise, has now moved from concept to reality, positioning Nigeria’s civil service on a competitive footing with global public administrations that prioritise speed, transparency, and citizen trust.

    “Countries that fail to digitise their public services are not just slow; they are increasingly irrelevant. Tonight, we are no longer talking about plans or pilots. Digitalisation is here, and it is working,” Mrs. Walson-Jack said.

    The HoCSF stressed that a coordinated push under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25) has accelerated reforms across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with all ministries represented at the event achieving full compliance by going live on the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS).

    ‎One of the most visible outcomes, she said, is the rollout of GOVMail, Nigeria’s secure government email platform, which now hosts over 100,000 official accounts, strengthening data sovereignty and saving the government huge sums previously spent on foreign email licences.

    ‎Beyond email communication, Mrs. Walson-Jack said the service has deployed a suite of digital tools to modernise governance, including a service-wide GPT trained on the Constitution, Public Service Rules and official circulars, which has already recorded over 25,000 user interactions.

    An online compendium of federal circulars has also ended the long-standing frustration of missing or conflicting directives across MDAs.

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    ‎The HoCSF explained that core management systems were also being overhauled, with the Performance Management System now automated in most ministries, while the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis is digitising workforce data to enable evidence-based recruitment, training and deployment.

    ‎Tracing the reform journey, Mrs. Walson-Jack said the paperless drive dates back to 2017 under former Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, and gained momentum during the tenure of Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, particularly after a 2020 directive mandating MDAs to digitise their registries following disruptions caused by COVID-19.

    ‎She admitted that when she assumed office in August 2024, only three ministries had fully digitised their processes, prompting the establishment of “War Rooms” under FCSSIP25 to fast-track results and enforce accountability.

    ‎“These were not rooms for speeches, but for execution. Excuses were retired, and results were demanded,” she said.

    ‎Mrs. Walson-Jack stressed that all digital initiatives align with the Nigeria First Policy, prioritising locally developed solutions and Nigerian expertise to strengthen the economy while improving public service delivery.

    ‎The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, described the transition to paperless governance as a cultural and institutional shift rather than a mere technological upgrade.

    ‎He said the reform reflects efficiency over bureaucracy, transparency over opacity and accountability over discretion, adding that it aligns fully with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    ‎Akume urged MDAs to institutionalise digital systems beyond personalities and sustain capacity building to ensure the reforms endure, noting that “the future of governance lies in systems, not shortcuts.”

    ‎The event also rewarded MDAs and individuals who distinguished themselves in driving the digital transition, with government officials describing the awards as a signal that innovation and excellence in the civil service will be acknowledged and rewarded.

  • FG charges newly promoted directors to drive civil service reforms

    FG charges newly promoted directors to drive civil service reforms

    The Federal Civil Service has tasked newly promoted directors with leading the final phase of its ongoing reform agenda under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25).

    The directive was issued during an induction training for the directors, held on Tuesday at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Abuja.

    In her address at the event, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), congratulated the directors on their well-earned promotions and highlighted their crucial roles in shaping the nation’s public administration.

    She emphasized that the final year of FCSSIP25 offers an opportunity to consolidate the progress made in the reforms aimed at creating a world-class civil service.

    “Your promotion is not just a reward for your dedication and competence; it is a call to lead with purpose, professionalism, and accountability. 

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    “This induction is designed to equip you with the tools to drive transformational changes that will impact the lives of millions of Nigerians,” she said.

    Mrs. Walson-Jack unveiled the theme for the year, “FCSSIP25: Final Sprint – Delivering Results,” and the slogan, “2025: Year of Accomplishments.” 

    She urged the directors to align their efforts with these goals, emphasizing that their leadership would determine the success of the civil service in meeting national expectations.

    “As stewards of public trust, your leadership must inspire confidence, innovation, and collaboration. These values are essential to restoring the credibility of the civil service and meeting the aspirations of the Nigerian people,” she added.

    Chairman of the AIG Imoukhuede Foundation, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, also addressed the inductees, emphasizing the importance of visionary leadership in rebuilding public trust in the civil service. 

    He called on the directors to embody integrity, empathy, and resilience while fostering teamwork and innovation within their teams.

    “A nation is only as strong as its civil service. Your role is to influence policy, drive reforms, and deliver results that directly impact the public. This is your moment to restore credibility and set a new standard for governance,” he stated.

    Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede outlined the responsibilities of the directors, including driving change, fostering employee engagement, and aligning organizational goals with national development objectives. 

    He also encouraged them to reward team members, promote open communication, and invest in continuous learning and growth.

    Dr. Adeyemi Aminchi, Director of Legal Services in the Office of the HCSF and one of the inductees, described the program as groundbreaking. 

    She noted that this was the first structured induction training for new directors and expressed optimism that it would strengthen their capacity to implement reforms effectively.

    “This training underscores the commitment of the Federal Government to ensuring that leaders in the civil service are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern governance,” Dr. Aminchi said.

    The program introduced participants to key reform initiatives, including the Service-Wise GPT, Govmail, the Compendium of Circulars, and the Federal Civil Service Online Academy. 

    Focus areas included strategic leadership, governance, and fostering a motivated workforce.

  • HoS urges creation of national awards for teaching excellence

    HoS urges creation of national awards for teaching excellence

    The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has called for the establishment of specific national awards to recognise excellence in teaching, urging public and private organizations to institutionalise such honors. 

    She made this appeal during the 2024 World Teachers’ Day celebration and President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award ceremony in Abuja, emphasising that celebrating teachers should be a continuous national priority, not limited to a single day.

    Walson-Jack stressed that recognising teachers’ efforts is vital to encouraging innovation and commitment within the profession. 

    According to her: “When teachers are appreciated for their creativity and hard work, they are empowered to shape lives with even more passion and innovation. 

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    “She proposed that awards highlight exceptional contributions, innovative teaching methods, and impactful mentorship at local, state, and national levels.”

    The HoS noted that these recognitions should be backed by tangible incentives and opportunities for professional development to ensure educators are fully equipped to handle the dynamic challenges of modern education. 

    Walson-Jack further praised the integration of the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award into the celebration, acknowledging the extraordinary work of teachers, administrators, and schools nationwide.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, assured the administration’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare and enhancing the quality of education in the country.

    The event concluded with car gift presentations by the Federal Government to outstanding teachers, administrators, and schools, alongside recognition of six state governors by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) for their significant contributions to education in their states.