The Federal Ministry of Defence has officially transitioned towards a paperless system with the launch of the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), marking a major step in the Federal Government’s drive for digital transformation and bureaucratic efficiency.
The ECMS was formally launched on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, by the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd).
Speaking at the event, General Musa said the deployment of the digital platform signals the end of extensive physical file movement within the Ministry and the beginning of a more efficient, secure and technology-driven work culture. He described the initiative as a fundamental shift in how defence administration and national security-related business are conducted.
The Defence Minister explained that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies digital transformation and improved service delivery as key pillars of national development. He stressed that modernising the civil service is essential to meeting global standards and improving governance outcomes.
General Musa commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack, OON, mni, for setting December 31, 2025, as the deadline for MDAs to fully digitise their operations. He also acknowledged Galaxy Backbone Limited for providing the technical backbone for the ECMS and praised the Ministry’s ICT team for ensuring the successful rollout of the system.
Read Also: HOT: Defense Minister Badaru Resigns
In her remarks, Mrs Walson-Jack described the launch as a significant milestone in strengthening efficiency, accountability and secure information management within the public service. She noted that effective record management is critical for a ministry whose mandate directly affects national sovereignty and security.
According to her, the deployment of the ECMS on the 1Government Cloud will enable secure digital records, automated workflows, electronic approvals and improved interoperability across government systems. She added that the platform would ensure faster decision-making by eliminating delays associated with manual file processing.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, said the ECMS is a sovereign digital solution designed to enhance transparency, improve productivity and strengthen collaboration within government institutions. He noted that the initiative aligns with Galaxy Backbone’s mandate to provide secure and reliable digital infrastructure for MDAs nationwide.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, described the launch as a strategic shift towards a fully digital working environment, noting that efficiency in defence administration directly impacts national security. He outlined the benefits of the ECMS to include improved efficiency, cost reduction, transparency and accountability.
The launch places the Ministry of Defence on track to meet the Federal Government’s directive on full digitalisation of work processes by the end of 2025, reinforcing ongoing public sector reforms aimed at improving governance and service delivery in Nigeria.
