According to sources familiar with the matter, as Nigeria moves towards the digitization deadline of December 31, 2025, only 22 federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), representing 98 percent, are fully connected to the 1GovCloud platform.
This figure represents a small portion of Nigeria's more than 1,300 federal MDAs, raising serious concerns about bureaucratic inertia, and whether one of the country's most ambitious digital reforms can be delivered as promised.
As part of efforts to eliminate paper-based processes, cut costs and modernize service delivery, the federal government had ordered all MDAs to migrate to 1GovCloud by December 31, 2025.
While officials have acknowledged that the migration could extend to 2026 for some agencies already using alternative platforms, the slow pace of adoption has cast doubt on the overall readiness of the system.
Designed and implemented by Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) in partnership with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), 1GovCloud aims to serve as a shared digital backbone for government. It provides common computing infrastructure, standardized software tools and government-owned data storage hosted within Nigeria.
Basically, the project aims to eliminate repetitive ICT spend, improve data security, enable seamless information sharing between agencies and replace manual, paper-driven workflows with digital systems.
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Officials describe the initiative as symbolizing the principle of “one government, not many separate offices.”
Instead of citizens physically carrying files from one ministry to another or submitting the same information repeatedly, MDAs are expected to work as an integrated digital system, sharing verified data securely.
The hosting of government data in Nigeria-based data centers managed by GBB aims to strengthen data sovereignty, reduce exposure to cyber threats and limit reliance on foreign infrastructure.
In theory, a fully implemented 1GovCloud should make it easier for citizens to access government services, particularly in rural or underserved areas, while improving productivity and decision-making across the civil service through standardized processes and integrated tools.
In practice, progress has been slow.
By mid-2025, internal assessments revealed that only 20 MDAs were fully connected to the platform. By the end of December, this number had increased marginally to about 22.
This slow growth is especially surprising given the rapid expansion of government. Civic group Budgit estimates that there were 541 federal MDAs in Nigeria in 2012, a figure that has now more than doubled, driving up costs and making coordination increasingly complex.
Sources admit that MDA resistance remains one of the biggest hurdles. Many agencies are reluctant to leave familiar legacy systems, while others fear losing control over their data or lack the technical preparation to migrate. Deeply entrenched siled work cultures have also slowed progress.
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In response, the GBB says it is working closely with OHCSF to promote a whole of government approach, including engaging MDA leadership, retraining staff, redesigning workflows and showcasing early success stories rather than migrating old processes to new platforms.
Officials stress that technology alone cannot improve government. He argues that meaningful change requires strong leadership, clear policies, new skills and confidence in shared infrastructure – factors he says are being addressed through a coordinated reform programme.
The project has recorded some notable successes. For example, the integration of the Mining Cadastre Office helped the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development generate over N50 billion revenue in 2025, highlighting the potential impact of effective systems integration.
Didi Esther Walson-Jack, head of the civil service of the federation, has been a vocal supporter of the initiative, directing all MDAs to move by the December 31 deadline and describing the move as the beginning of a new era of efficiency and transparency.
Similarly, the Managing Director of GBB, Ibrahim Adeyanju, described 1GovCloud as the secure digital backbone of federal governance.
Still, with only 22 institutions involved as the deadline approaches, questions remain about scalability, enforcement, and political will. The growing number of MDAs undermines cost-saving objectives, while internal resistance threatens to slow the reform or derail it altogether.
As the countdown continues, Nigeria's vision of paperless government faces its most significant test yet. Whether the momentum can overcome established institutional barriers remains uncertain, but for now, the numbers suggest that the dream of a fully digital federal civil service is under severe pressure.
