By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Ministry of Defence has formally ushered in a new era of digital efficiency with the official launch of its Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), marking a decisive shift from paper-based processes to a fully digital work environment in line with the Federal Government’s drive for public service reform.
Speaking at the ECMS Go-Live ceremony held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ship House, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (rtd), declared that the long-standing culture of physical file movement in the Ministry was drawing to a close. According to him, the launch of the ECMS signals the beginning of a new phase defined by speed, efficiency, accountability and secure information management.
“The era of carrying physical files is ending, and the era of digital efficiency has begun,” the Minister said, stressing that while technology provides the tools, the real driver of success remains the dedication and commitment of staff. He urged management and personnel of the Ministry to embrace the new system with an open mind, noting that the ECMS represents far more than the deployment of a software application.
“We are not just launching a software application to officially go-live with the ECMS. We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the way we conduct the business of national security,” Musa stated.
The Minister linked the initiative directly to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which, he said, places digital transformation and bureaucratic efficiency at the heart of national growth and development. He emphasised that the civil service, as the engine room of government policies, must be modernised to meet global standards if it is to effectively drive the President’s reform agenda.
Musa commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack, OON, mni, for what he described as her visionary leadership in setting December 31, 2025 as the deadline for all extra-ministerial departments and agencies to go paperless. He acknowledged that the Ministry’s transition to a digital platform would not have been possible without the strategic partnership and technical expertise of Galaxy Backbone, as well as the tireless efforts of the Ministry’s ICT team.
“You have provided the digital veins through which our administrative lifeblood will now flow,” the Minister said, thanking Galaxy Backbone and the Ministry’s ICT personnel for ensuring the successful go-live of the system.
In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation described the launch of the ECMS as a landmark initiative that would stand the test of time. She noted that any development that strengthens efficiency, accountability and secure information management within the civil service is both timely and welcome.
According to her, for a Ministry such as Defence, whose mandate lies at the very core of national sovereignty and security, effective and secure record management is not optional but essential. She explained that the event represented a deliberate and strategic statement of intent by a Ministry responsible for defence policy formulation, strategic coordination, military administration and oversight of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mrs Walson-Jack commended the leadership of the Ministry for the foresight and resolve that culminated in the ECMS go-live, adding that she was particularly encouraged by the Ministry’s commitment to meeting its digital content service delivery obligations. She said this commitment aligns seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which envisions a public service that is efficient, accountable, responsive and digitally enabled.
The Head of Service further explained that the deployment of the ECMS on the 1Government Cloud marks a fundamental change in how government business is conducted. Through the system, she said, the Ministry will benefit from secure digital records, automated workflows, electronic approvals and enhanced interoperability.
“Decision-making will now be driven by timely access to information rather than delayed by the physical movement of files,” she noted, adding that the milestone places the Ministry on track to meet the Federal Government’s directive for full digitalisation of work processes by December 31, 2025. She also pointed out that the initiative directly advances Pillar Five of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025, which prioritises the digitalisation of processes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
On his part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, described the launch as a critical step in the journey towards greater efficiency, transparency and collaboration between his organisation and the Ministry of Defence. He explained that the 1Government Cloud ECMS is a sovereign solution designed to centralise content, enhance document security and empower staff with the tools required to perform their duties effectively.
According to Adeyanju, the initiative aligns with Galaxy Backbone’s broader vision of transforming government operations by connecting MDAs nationwide through secure, reliable and intelligent digital platforms.
“Our objective is to enable every user to work efficiently, securely and productively, thereby improving service delivery to Nigerians,” he said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, described the ECMS launch as a pivotal moment in the Ministry’s transformation from a paper-based system to a fully digital, paperless environment. He noted that the transition reflects a deliberate move towards a modernised way of working, stressing that efficiency in defence operations has direct implications for national security.
By adopting the ECMS, the Permanent Secretary said, the Ministry is ensuring that the movement of files, processing of approvals and handling of sensitive data are carried out with speed, accuracy and the highest level of security. He acknowledged that the collaboration with Galaxy Backbone has been instrumental in building the resilient digital infrastructure required to support the demands of a paperless Defence Ministry, and expressed gratitude to the company’s management for standing with the Ministry throughout the process.
Pheelangwa further outlined the transformative benefits the ECMS will bring to the Ministry, including enhanced efficiency, cost-effectiveness, transparency and accountability, all of which align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The launch of the ECMS at the Ministry of Defence is widely seen as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s digital transformation drive, reinforcing the commitment of the current administration to modernising public service delivery and strengthening institutional effectiveness in critical sectors of governance.
