Defence Ministry Begins Transition to Paperless Operations as Musa Launches Enterprise Content Management System
The Ministry of Defence has officially commenced a new era of digital efficiency with the launch of its Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), marking a decisive shift from manual, paper-based operations to a fully digital workflow.
Speaking at the ECMS Go-Live ceremony on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), declared that the era of physically carrying files within the civil service is coming to an end.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, Enderline Chukwu.
According to the Minister, the deployment of ECMS is more than the introduction of a software application, but a fundamental transformation in how the Ministry conducts the business of national security. He stressed that while technology provides the tools, staff commitment and dedication remain the key drivers of success, urging personnel to embrace the new system with an open mind.
Musa noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies digital transformation and bureaucratic efficiency as critical pillars for national development. He emphasized that the civil service, as the engine room of governance, must be modernised to meet global standards.
The Defence Minister commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack, for her visionary leadership, particularly the directive mandating all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to go paperless by December 31, 2025. He also acknowledged the strategic role of Galaxy Backbone Limited, as well as the Ministry’s ICT team, in ensuring the successful deployment of the system.
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In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation described the ECMS launch as a landmark initiative that will stand the test of time, noting that any reform that strengthens efficiency, accountability and secure information management within the civil service is highly commendable.
She stressed that for a critical institution like the Ministry of Defence, whose mandate is central to national sovereignty and security, effective record management is indispensable. According to her, the ECMS Go-Live represents a deliberate statement of intent by the Ministry in advancing defence policy formulation, military administration and oversight of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mrs Walson-Jack explained that the deployment of ECMS on the 1Government Cloud introduces a fundamental shift in government operations, offering secured digital records, automated workflows, electronic approvals and interoperability across MDAs. She added that decision-making would now be driven by timely access to information rather than delayed by the physical movement of files.
She further noted that the milestone places the Ministry of Defence on track to meet the Federal Government’s directive for full digitalisation of work processes by December 31, 2025, while advancing Pillar Five of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021–2025).
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, described the launch as a critical step towards greater efficiency, transparency and collaboration. He explained that the 1Government Cloud ECMS is a sovereign digital solution designed to centralise content, enhance document security and empower staff with tools required to perform their duties effectively.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, said the launch represents a pivotal transition from paper-based processes to a fully digital environment, stressing that efficiency in defence operations directly impacts national security.
He added that the collaboration with Galaxy Backbone has strengthened the Ministry’s digital infrastructure and outlined the benefits of the ECMS to include efficiency, cost-effectiveness, transparency and accountability, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
By PRNigeria
