By Frank Momoh
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, and the President of Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede have signed an agreement to support the digitalization drive of the Federal Civil Service to ensure efficiency, cost reduction and optimization of resources.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo witnessed the signing ceremony at the second day of the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) at the instance of Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede.
The agreement formally signals the commencement of the implementation of the Enterprise Content Management Solution (ECMS) in the Service.
According to the statement signed by Mr. AbdulGaniyu Aminu, the Director of Media at the Head of Service, which was made available to the Media, said the ECMS will ensure the management of electronic content through the entire life cycle of a process document, including document creation, distribution, utilisation, retention, and disposition. The goal of the ECM solution is to create efficiency and effectiveness, ensure the integrity of processes and their outcomes, as well as reposition the Federal Civil Service for better performance and improved service delivery.
Recall that in 2017, the Vice President facilitated the partnership between the OHCSF and the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation to develop a clear communicable action plan building on the Federal Civil Service Strategic Plan 2017-2019.
This led to a signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the OHCSF and the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation to establish the relationship. The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation supported the development of the revised strategic plan through the engagement of Mckinsey & Company.
The Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP2017-2020) was eventually finalised and approved by FEC in July 2017, with the intent to improve and develop capacity in the public sector to collaborate with the private sector in advancing the nation’s economy.
In line with the digitalisation drive of the Service, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation collaborated with the OHCSF to develop a policy on virtual meetings following the disruption of workplace occasioned by the COVID 19 pandemic. The next objective is the implementation of an Enterprise Content Management Solution (ECMS) aimed at digitalising processes in the OHCSF.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has been collaborating with the OHCSF in the provision of necessary consulting support, resources, and funding for the full implementation of ECM solutions.
The first stage in the project was the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which have been completed by the OHCSF and is currently being adopted by all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The current stage is that of Organizational Readiness Assessment, which is assessing the OHCSF’s state of readiness to adopt the ECMS and measure future outcomes of the project implementation. Meanwhile, the OHCSF is preparing for ISO 9001-2015 (Quality Management System) certification, which will provide direction for establishing, developing, implementing, evaluating, maintaining, and improving an effective and responsive compliance management system within the OHCSF, for the purpose of enhancing organisational readiness for the ECMS.
“As we approach the final stage of funding and implementing the ECMS, I am compelled to reflect on what has been a synergistic relationship with the OHCSF. We are proud to be working alongside an organisation of this calibre to create efficiency and ensure the integrity of Federal Civil Service processes and their outcomes,” Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Said.
“As we work together to provide the necessary resources and funding for the full implementation of the Enterprise Content Management Solution, this is a proud moment that will see us fulfilling one of the priority areas of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2015-2020,” he added.
In a remark, Yemi-Esan: “We are committed to improving public service delivery and efficiency to ensure that the people of Nigeria have a seamless experience of Federal Civil Services. Prioritising the effective and equitable delivery of services is one of the most sure-fire ways to promote economic growth and reduce poverty. It begins with us.
“I commend the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation for partnering with us. It is a true testament to the importance of public-private sector partnerships in developing the nation and unlocking economic growth and reformation. Our hope is that this partnership will further inspire other entities in the public and private sectors to come together to reignite Nigeria and shape its future, one partnership at a time,” she further stated.
A Joint Evaluation Panel was set up by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and the OHCSF to develop a roadmap for the evaluation and recommendation of the appropriate vendor to implement the ECMS. A vendor has now been identified for the final stage of funding and implementation of the ECMS.