The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has been honoured with the Go-Live Excellence Award in recognition of its successful transition to a fully digitised workflow, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing civil service reforms.
The award was presented at the Paperless Civil Service Gala and Awards Night, held on Wednesday in Abuja and organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
The event brought together senior government officials, including Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, development partners, members of the diplomatic corps and top civil servants.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, described the paperless initiative as a far-reaching reform that goes beyond technology.
He said it represents a shift in institutional culture, mindset and service delivery, noting that digital governance promotes efficiency, transparency, accountability and citizen-focused outcomes.
He added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021–2025) and the broader public sector reform agenda of the current administration.
Senator Akume commended MDAs that demonstrated leadership in embracing change, stressing that sustainable governance depends on strong systems rather than shortcuts, and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting digital reforms across the public service.
In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, described the occasion as a defining moment in the reform journey of the Federal Civil Service.
She traced the evolution of digitalisation reforms from 2017, highlighting the decisive momentum gained during the COVID-19 period, which led to the mandatory adoption of electronic content management systems across MDAs.
She noted that the paperless transition was achieved through sustained, deliberate reforms spanning successive administrations, and applauded Permanent Secretaries, Directors and staff for embracing change, unlearning entrenched practices and driving the success of the initiative.
She also commended the Digitalisation Committee, the Galaxy Backbone platform team and technical partners for their role in deploying digital systems across government institutions.
While acknowledging the initial challenges associated with the reform process, Mrs Walson-Jack urged civil servants to remain resilient and committed, emphasising that continuous improvement is essential to sustaining a modern, efficient and citizen-centred public service.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, said the recognition affirms the Ministry’s commitment to innovation, efficiency and accountable service delivery.
She further attributed the achievement to strong teamwork and the dedication of staff who successfully drove the Ministry’s digital transformation.
