Tinubu Orders MDAs to Adopt Digital Systems as 38 Ministries Go Paperless
President Bola Tinubu has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to fully embrace technology-driven processes, revealing that 38 ministries and extra-ministerial departments have already transitioned to a secure paperless workflow system. The directive was issued during the opening of the International Civil Service Conference 2026 in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, emphasized that the Nigerian civil service is undergoing a major digital transformation aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays, improving transparency, and enhancing service delivery. He declared that the era of manual inefficiency in government operations must give way to a faster, more accountable, and technology-driven public service.
The President noted that reforms under his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda are already producing measurable outcomes, moving the civil service from aspiration to execution and from execution to measurable impact. He stated that the deployment of end-to-end electronic workflow systems across dozens of ministries underscores Nigeria's commitment to building a modern bureaucracy capable of driving investment, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
Tinubu directed all MDAs to intensify the adoption of digital systems and technology in public administration, insisting that government institutions must become more responsive to citizens' needs. He stressed that the era of manual inefficiency must give way to a culture of speed, transparency, data-driven decision-making, and citizen-centered service.
The President also disclosed that the ongoing Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis initiated by his administration is nearing completion, aimed at identifying competency gaps and repositioning workers for modern governance. He linked the reforms to the broader digital infrastructure drive, including Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth), which he recently promoted at the Africa CEO Forum in Rwanda. According to him, Nigeria is opening its digital infrastructure ecosystem to investors and development partners to stimulate job creation, innovation, connectivity, and public sector efficiency.
Tinubu commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for driving reforms under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021-2025. He particularly praised the introduction of innovative tools such as Service-Wise GPT, describing it as evidence of what can be achieved through disciplined leadership and institutional commitment. He urged participants to focus on institutionalizing reforms and strengthening accountability across public institutions.
ICPC Warns Against Greed and Weak Systems
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, warned chief executives and governing boards of federal agencies against greed and institutional weaknesses that fuel corruption across Nigeria's public service. Speaking at the 11th Induction Programme for Chief Executive Officers, Chairmen, and Members of Governing Boards of Federal Government parastatals, agencies, and commissions in Abuja, Aliyu stressed that corruption thrives where ethical leadership, accountability systems, and compliance structures are weak.
Presenting a paper titled The Role of the ICPC in the Prevention of Corrupt Practices in the Public Service, Aliyu revealed that a 2025 study conducted by the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre across 11 African countries found that greed and lack of integrity accounted for nearly 50 percent of corruption cases uncovered in public institutions. He highlighted deep institutional vulnerabilities that must be urgently addressed through reforms and stricter compliance measures.
Aliyu declared that anti-corruption efforts would fail if public institutions relied solely on arrests and prosecution without strengthening preventive mechanisms. He called for a comprehensive approach to combat corruption, emphasizing the need for robust accountability systems and ethical leadership to ensure the success of Nigeria's digital transformation and anti-corruption initiatives.
