The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has officially launched its Enterprise Content Management System (ECM), signaling the end of paper-based correspondence as part of Nigeria’s drive towards a fully digital public service.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the launch as “more than the unveiling of a system,” but a clear statement of intent by a ministry that sits at the heart of national planning and budgeting.
“This ministry is where numbers meet national priorities and where policies are translated into plans that shape the lives of Nigerians. It is both symbolic and strategic that it is embracing a smarter, faster and more accountable way of managing information”, she said.
With the launch, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning formally joined the expanding ECMS network across the federal civil service, placing it firmly on track to meet the Federal Government’s directive for full digitalization of work processes by December 31, 2025.
Mrs Walson-Jack announced that the ministry has achieved 100 percent compliance with its ministerial deliverables on content services digitalization, a milestone she said aligns directly with Pillar Five of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021–2025), which focuses on digitizing work processes.
She stressed that the era of paper files must now give way to disciplined digital practice, directing that all official correspondence to the ministry should henceforth be routed through designated registry emails.
“Good governance cannot wait for files to travel from table to table before decisions are made”, she noted.
She added that the system would improve speed, accountability, institutional memory and evidence-based decision-making.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Deborah Odoh, who represented the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said the launch aligns squarely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes reform, transparency and the strategic use of technology.
“Digital transformation is not optional; it is a national necessity. Our ministry is central to national planning and economic coordination, and efficiency, innovation and modern governance must remain our priorities,” Dr Odoh said.
She emphasized that the success of the ECMS would depend not only on technology but also on the willingness of staff to embrace new ways of working. She urged employees to see the system as an enabler that allows them to work smarter, collaborate better and deliver results that justify public trust.
The Permanent Secretary commended the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for its leadership in driving reforms, as well as the ministry’s ICT units, ECMS champions and technical partners for the successful deployment of the system.
The launch concluded with a live demonstration of the platform by the consultants, as officials reiterated that the ministry would no longer receive paper correspondence, reinforcing the Federal Government’s push towards a paperless, efficient and digitally driven civil service.
