Federal Govt Sets Up Committee On Civil Service Digitalisation

The federal government, through the head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has inaugurated an 11-member Technical Working Committee (TWC) for the full digitalisation of the Federal Civil Service

The committee is expected to develop the framework, roadmap and governance structure for implementing the Federal Executive Council (FEC)-approved digital transformation programme across the Federal Civil Service.

The initiative aims to create a more integrated, efficient, secure, and citizen-focused public service, while eliminating fragmented digital systems and improving the delivery of government processes.

During the inauguration, Walson-Jack described the development as a significant milestone in the reform of the Federal Civil Service, stressing that the focus must shift from policy approval to tangible results.

She said the committee was established following the FEC’s approval of the Federal Civil Service Digital Transformation Progress Report, which assigned key responsibilities to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and required coordinated implementation across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

According to the HCSF, the Federal Civil Service can no longer afford isolated digital initiatives operated independently by different institutions.

She said the objective was to establish a government-wide digital ecosystem in which systems could communicate with one another, information could be securely shared, administrative processes simplified and public servants empowered with the tools required to work more effectively.

Walson-Jack therefore tasked the committee with producing a comprehensive Digital Transformation Implementation Framework and Roadmap to guide digitalisation across the service.

She said the framework must address policy and governance, institutional coordination, system interoperability, cybersecurity, funding, digital readiness, capacity building, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

The HCSF also emphasised sustainability, saying the transformation should be structured to ensure it endures beyond individual projects, leadership changes and administrations.

She stressed that successful digital transformation was not solely about acquiring technology but also about changing processes, strengthening institutions, and equipping personnel with the skills needed to use digital platforms effectively.

“Public servants must be adequately equipped and supported to adopt and effectively use digital tools in the discharge of their responsibilities,” she said.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, described the assignment as strategic and timely.

Gagare assured the HCSF that members of the committee would bring their expertise to bear on the assignment and work with relevant MDAs and stakeholders to produce a framework that is practical, sustainable, inclusive and suited to the realities of the Nigerian Civil Service.

The committee is chaired by Dr Deborah Odoh, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Other members are Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, permanent secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance; Engr. Nadungu Gagare, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Dr Danjuma Usman Kalba, permanent secretary, Common Services Office; and Dr Shamseldeen B. Ogunjimi, accountant-general of the Federation.

The rest are Dr Adebowale Adedokun, director-general, Bureau of Public Procurement; Joy Baderin, director, Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office; Uwem Ekpo, director, ICT, OHCSF; Engr. Dr Gideon Adogbo, senior technical adviser to the HCSF; Uyiosa Ebuehi, technical assistant to the HCSF and Alex Gwaske, director, ICT Service-Wide, who serves as secretary.

The ICT Service-Wide Department of the OHCSF will serve as the committee’s secretariat.

The committee is expected to submit its first report to the HCSF within one week. The report will guide the formation of a steering committee, to be chaired by the HCSF, that will provide strategic oversight of the implementation of the digital transformation agenda.