posted October 26, 2023
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has expressed concerns about the high level of wastage in the Nigerian government, particularly at the federal level. He has warned that the country will face even greater challenges if steps are not taken to reduce this wastage. He highlighted the need for digitalization of government processes at all levels to enhance transparency and reduce costs.
During a plenary session on “Reinventing Government: Digitalization of Public Institutions” at the 29th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Obaseki emphasized the importance of reinventing governance through digitalization. He argued that increased efficiency is necessary to support production, especially at the federal government level, where he believes there is excessive waste.
Obaseki also shared the experience of his administration in Edo State, where they have implemented an e-governance system. He noted that digitalization requires strong political will and commitment from leaders, as it often faces resistance from civil servants. He highlighted the challenges of getting civil servants to implement well-thought-out policies and the need for persistence in such cases.
The governor said, “We need to reinvent governance. You can’t reinvent government unless you digitalize and open up your systems. We have no option. We have to be efficient.
“We have to be efficient to support production. Especially at the federal government level; the waste is too much and unless we change, we will be in trouble. In fact, we are already in trouble and if we don’t change, we will be in deeper trouble.”
Obaseki also shared the experience of his administration in Edo State, where they have implemented an e-governance system. He noted that digitalization requires strong political will and commitment from leaders, as it often faces resistance from civil servants. He highlighted the challenges of getting civil servants to implement well-thought-out policies and the need for persistence in such cases
The governor emphasized that prior to the digitalization efforts in Edo State, civil servants, public office holders, and the executive operated in isolation. However, with the implementation of digital processes, the state government has achieved significant transformation in service delivery. Edo State is recognized as the most digitally connected state in Nigeria and the first in the country to have entirely shifted to a digital mode of administration.
The Obaseki-led state government, over the past seven years, has pursued bold and transformative reforms to digitize work processes in the civil and public service, transiting service delivery from an archaic, analog, and strenuous mode to a digitized, seamless, and efficient mode.
All files are now processed through the service-wide e-government platform, ensuring quick turnaround time. Today, the State is the most digitally connected in Nigeria and operates the most digitized civil and public service, with all local governments connected to fibre optics.
By digitizing work processes and adopting e-governance, Edo State has streamlined its operations and improved service delivery, making it a model for others to consider in their efforts to enhance government efficiency and transparency.
Governor Obaseki’s warning about the consequences of government waste serves as a call to action for improving governance across Nigeria.