Abuja, Nigeria – June 30, 2025 — President Bola Tinubu has declared data as “the new oil” of governance, unveiling a strategic national push to leverage digital tools and data intelligence for improved public service delivery and international benchmarking. His remarks were made during the opening of the 2025 International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, where Galaxy Backbone launched the 1Government Cloud Academy, a major initiative to equip civil servants with digital transformation skills.
In a keynote address, Tinubu stressed the importance of treating data as a national asset, calling for a culture of responsible collection, protection, and dissemination of public data across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“We must let our data speak for us,” the President said. “We must publish verified data assets locally and share them globally. This will enable international benchmarking and strengthen Nigeria’s standing on the world stage.”
He emphasized that, unlike crude oil, data gains value through refinement and responsible use. Tinubu’s directive mandates MDAs to operate under the Nigerian Data Protection Act (2023), safeguarding data privacy and sovereignty in line with international standards.
Digital Skills Drive: Launch of 1Government Cloud Academy
The Galaxy Backbone-led 1Government Cloud Academy is at the heart of Nigeria’s paperless public sector drive. Described as a “strategic move” by the organization, the academy will train select civil servants and public sector stakeholders in both technical tools and soft skills critical to sustaining digital transformation.
The programme was unveiled before an audience that included Federal Executive Council members, diplomats, private sector leaders, and hundreds of public officials.
Programme Director Mr. Wumi Oghoetuoma highlighted the human dimension of digital transformation. “Many digital solutions fail not because they’re ineffective, but because users don’t trust or understand them,” he said. He emphasized that the initiative’s focus goes beyond technical training, incorporating mindset change, collaboration, and communication.
“Digital transformation hinges on people, processes, and technology,” Oghoetuoma stated. “With strong personnel and documented processes in place, what’s often missing is user buy-in and adoption.”
The academy will also certify ECM Project Managers and IT professionals within government institutions, empowering them to serve as internal digital transformation champions.
Tackling Communication Gaps and Building Trust
Oghoetuoma warned of silent breakdowns in communication within ministries that often undermine digital systems.
“Simple issues, like poor WiFi, are left unresolved because they’re neither reported nor escalated. This creates the illusion that the system is broken,” he said.
To counter this, the academy is also offering specialized certifications to boost IT responsiveness and cross-functional communication.
Civil Service Reforms and Global Support
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, hailed the programme as a continuation of key reforms, including the automation of workflows via the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system, the deployment of the ServiceWise GPT platform, and the rollout of a Performance Management System that links individual roles to national development goals.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, applauded the initiative as a bold and necessary step in Nigeria’s long-term development.
“These reforms demonstrate ambition and vision,” Montgomery said. “Their success depends on integrity and performance within the civil service.”
Looking Ahead
As the 1Government Cloud Academy takes root, Nigeria signals its intent to become a continental leader in digital governance. With data positioned as a core asset and digital transformation embedded in public sector planning, the government is betting that empowered civil servants and robust infrastructure will be the catalyst for a smarter, more accountable administration.
President Tinubu concluded:
“Let us embrace the future with clarity, confidence, and competence. Nigeria’s public service must not be left behind in the digital age.”