In a significant move to modernize government operations, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has officially launched a new Electronic Document Management System (EDMS). The system, named GO LIVE EDMS, was unveiled at the Ministry's Conference Room in Abuja on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
A Pillar of Federal Digital Strategy
Minister Kyari explained that this initiative is a direct implementation of the broader Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25). The core objective is to digitize all records, automate internal workflows, and drastically cut down the Ministry's reliance on paper-based processes.
He positioned the launch as a critical step towards the Federal Government's ambitious target of achieving 80% digitalization of government operations by the end of 2025. The ultimate goal is to establish a completely paperless civil service across Nigeria by the year 2030.
Transforming Ministry Operations
The Minister detailed how the EDMS will fundamentally change daily work at the Ministry. It is designed to overhaul how official records are created, processed, stored, accessed, and secured.
The key benefits highlighted include:
- Eliminating delays caused by the manual movement of physical files.
- Enhancing collaboration and information sharing between different departments.
- Improving document traceability and strengthening audit controls.
- Preserving institutional memory for better policy continuity and planning.
"For a Ministry as strategic as Agriculture and Food Security—central to livelihoods, economic diversification, and national stability—efficiency and responsiveness are non-negotiable," Kyari stated. He described the EDMS as an essential enabler for seamless information flow and timely decision-making.
Call for Staff Adoption and Collaboration
Senator Kyari made a direct appeal to all Ministry staff to fully embrace and integrate the new system into their daily routines. He emphasized that the success of the EDMS would depend not just on its technical capabilities, but on the collective discipline of the staff in using it, adhering to new workflows, and engaging in continuous training.
He commended the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Department of Planning and Policy Coordination, the Project Implementation Team, and all directors and staff who contributed to the deployment. "Change is often challenging, but your cooperation demonstrates a shared understanding that a modern public service must be agile, technology-driven, and results-oriented," Kyari said.
The Minister also thanked the implementation consultants, Quomodo Systems, for their professionalism in delivering the tailored solution, known as DOC STREAM.
Broad Support for Digital Shift
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, echoed these sentiments, stating the system would change how records are managed, stored, and retrieved, leading to faster decisions and more effective governance.
In a goodwill message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson–Jack, praised the initiative as both timely and commendable. She noted that the Ministry's pivotal role in food security and national development requires reliable data and effective systems to support sound policies.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, in his welcome address, described the launch as a major milestone in the Ministry's journey toward digital transformation and improved service delivery.
