President Tinubu partners with Oracle to reform Nigeria’s civil service and data management

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his desire to redefine the nation’s civil service and data management by adopting the use of technology in public service. The president made this commitment when he welcomed Andress Arroyo, the vice president of Oracle, in a meeting at the state house.

In a statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale, the president is excited to partner with Oracle to achieve these loft goals, as he highlighted how technology plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and transparency of data from public institutions while enhancing accountability.

Additionally, the president expressed confidence in Oracle’s track record, citing their successful automation of the Lagos payroll system during his time as the state’s governor. He believes that Oracle’s expertise will contribute to improving business operations, digital innovation, identity management, efficient payroll handling, and delivering better services to citizens.

“I have tested Oracle and it has worked for our success. In Lagos State, what we did in effective collaboration with you, has been copied across the states of the Federation,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu’s desire to build Nigerian institutions with data

During the meeting, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of accurate data and advanced data management capabilities for strengthening Nigeria’s institutions.

“We can only build our institutions with accurate data and cutting-edge data management capabilities that are reliable and effective. We can only rely upon our human resources for excellent service delivery to Nigerians if they are well-trained and ready to learn.

He stated that the government is committed to a bottom-up approach and believes that a comprehensive solution for public administration can be created from a single sheet of paper, enhancing effectiveness and reliability.

“The transfer of knowledge is essential for our nation and the continent. In this government, we believe that the only way to build our country is a bottom-up approach and from one single sheet of paper, we can create an end-to-end solution for public administration that will rid our service of its worst tendencies in favour of effectiveness and reliability.”

Furthermore, the president expressed concern about the excessive size of the civil service payroll at both the national and sub-national levels. He pointed out that this high wage bill consumes a significant portion of the country’s revenue, making it challenging to fund the much-needed infrastructure development.

“I get deeply concerned every time I see the size of the payroll. How can we find the capital to develop the critical infrastructure we need if the payroll, which serves only 1% to 2% of the population, is consuming all our revenue?”

Reacting to the meeting, Andress Arroyo, the Vice President of Oracle, commended Tinubu for prioritizing the well-being of Nigerians by embarking on this collaboration. He guaranteed that this partnership would lead to more streamlined governance and improved oversight of the country’s economic activities.

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Benefits of tech innovations in public service

Many stakeholders of the Nigerian tech ecosystem and the nation at large have repeatedly called for more innovation in Nigerian public service. Some of the proposed benefits to nigerians include:

1. Enhanced Efficiency: Embracing technology can streamline bureaucratic processes, reduce paperwork, and increase the speed at which public services are delivered. This efficiency can lead to quicker responses to citizens’ needs.
2. Transparency and Accountability: Technology can provide tools for greater transparency in government operations, making it easier to track and audit expenditures, reducing corruption, and ensuring public funds are used more effectively.
3. Improved Service Delivery: Citizens can benefit from improved and more accessible public services, such as online application processes, e-governance platforms, and digital access to information and resources.
4. Data-Driven Decision-Making: Technology allows for the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions based on evidence and real-time information.
5. Cost Savings: Over time, digitalization can lead to cost savings in administrative processes, as well as a reduction in the need for physical infrastructure.
6. Economic Growth: A government that is tech-savvy can attract investment and foster a thriving technology sector, potentially leading to economic growth and job creation.
7. Global Competitiveness: Embracing technology can help Nigeria compete on a global scale, attract foreign investment, and participate in the digital economy more effectively.
8. Improved Security: Technology can enhance national security through better data protection, cybersecurity measures, and the ability to monitor and respond to security threats more effectively.

Overall, the readiness to incorporate technology into public service administration can modernize and transform government operations in Nigeria, resulting in improved services, increased accountability, and a more responsive and efficient public sector.

It remains to be seen if the partnership with Oracle would be as effective as it was with Lagos State in the past and the immediate benefits that the average Nigerian would get from it.

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