The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the 1Government Cloud Academy, a comprehensive training programme spearheaded by Galaxy Backbone, aimed at empowering civil servants and public sector personnel with essential digital skills for improved governance.
Launched during the 2025 International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, the Academy is a cornerstone in the nation’s push toward a digitally-driven, paperless civil service, as well as enhanced inter-agency communication across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The high-profile event was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Federal Executive Council members, diplomats, industry leaders, and civil servants from across the country. In his opening remarks, President Tinubu described data as “the new oil”, emphasizing that, unlike oil, the value of data increases with proper refinement and responsible use.
“We must let our data speak for us,” the President declared. “Verified data assets must be published locally and shared globally. This is how we will benchmark Nigeria’s progress and elevate our presence on the world stage.”
He further mandated all MDAs to enhance data capture and compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Act (2023), while ensuring privacy and sovereignty through secure, localized data centers.
Speaking on a key panel, Mr. Wumi Oghoetuoma, Programme Director of the 1Government Cloud initiative, explained that the Academy is not only about technical training but also about mindset change, trust, and collaboration.
“Digital solutions often fail not because they’re ineffective, but because users don’t understand or trust them,” Oghoetuoma noted. “That’s why we are combining technical upskilling with soft skills and internal change management.”
A central component of the Academy is the certification of ECM Project Managers, who will serve as internal change agents or “transformation champions” within their respective MDAs. These officers will help their colleagues adapt to new tools, address common technical issues, and ensure continuous feedback loops with IT departments.
He also revealed that seemingly minor problems—such as unresolved WiFi issues—often go unreported or unaddressed due to communication breakdowns between departments.
“It’s not that civil servants lack digital literacy—most use smartphones and social media daily,” he explained. “The real issue is motivation, internal support, and systems-thinking.”
To address this, the Academy will also deliver specialized certification courses for IT departments, with a focus on improving their responsiveness, communication, and cross-functional teamwork.
Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, praised the initiative, describing Nigeria’s digital reforms as a model for public sector innovation.
She cited several recent reforms, including:
The implementation of the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system.
The rollout of a Performance Management System.
The introduction of ServiceWise GPT, a tool that aligns individual civil servant roles with national goals.
“We are redefining public service with digital excellence at the core,” she said.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the international community, British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery lauded the reforms, calling them “bold and necessary for Nigeria’s long-term growth.”
He stressed the importance of delivery integrity, saying the success of any digital transformation relies heavily on how well civil servants apply the tools they’re given.
“Technology is only as effective as the people using it. Integrity and commitment in service delivery are paramount,” Montgomery stated.
The 1Government Cloud Academy marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s journey toward e-governance, with a clear focus on people, processes, and technology. By positioning civil servants as active participants in the digital transition, the initiative is designed not just to modernize, but to humanize public service delivery.
