Federal Government Launches Digital HR Platform, Ends Manual Staff Postings in Civil Service
The Federal Government has launched the Human Resource Modules of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), introducing a fully digital platform designed to automate staff postings, promotions, leave applications and other personnel processes across the Federal Civil Service.
Speaking at the official IPPIS Go-Live Ceremony in Abuja on Monday, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the platform as a major milestone in the government's efforts to build a modern, efficient and technology-driven public service in line with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
She said the new system would replace manual human resource processes with an integrated digital platform covering the entire workforce lifecycle.
“We are not just unveiling a digital platform, but institutionalising a better way of managing our most important resource, which is our people, our employees,” Walson-Jack said.
According to her, the platform will manage biometric enrolment, onboarding, payroll administration, employee mobility, human resource processes, reporting and data analytics across the 508 ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies currently on the IPPIS platform.
She also announced the end of manual influence over staff deployments, saying, “Post me here, post me there. I want a juicy posting, no more. It is now digitalised.”
“No more lobbying for posting,” she added.
Walson-Jack explained that integrating all personnel functions into a single platform would eliminate duplication, improve personnel records, reduce errors and delays, while strengthening transparency and accountability through automated approvals, standardised workflows and reliable audit trails.
She added that the employee self-service module would allow civil servants to securely access and update their records, reducing paperwork and administrative bottlenecks.
“This is the true value of digital transformation. Simpler processes, faster services, better information and greater accountability. Technology must make the work of civil servants easier and strengthen the capacity of government to serve Nigerians,” she said.
The Head of Service noted that the transition from the Oracle Electronic Business Suite to the new platform followed extensive testing and technical evaluations, adding that the software was developed entirely by Nigerians.
“Significantly, this solution was built by Nigerians for Nigerians,” she said, describing the initiative as a practical expression of the Nigeria First policy.
She urged ministries, departments and agencies to fully adopt the platform, stressing that technology alone would not deliver reforms without users embracing the new system.
“We cannot adopt new technology while retaining inefficient practices. The platform must not become an electronic version of old bureaucracy. Processes must be simplified, responsibilities clearly defined and unnecessary delays eliminated,” she said.
Also speaking, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, disclosed that IPPIS, which commenced in 2007 with seven pilot ministries, departments and agencies, now covers 508 MDAs with more than 1,008,800 employee records.
He described the introduction of the HR modules as “a natural progression of this reform journey,” saying the integration of human resource management with payroll administration would strengthen fiscal discipline, improve workforce planning and enhance transparency in public financial management.
Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, described IPPIS as one of Nigeria’s most successful public sector reforms, noting that it had eliminated ghost workers and centralised personnel records.
According to him, the newly introduced HR modules would enable civil servants to manage their records, apply for annual leave online, track promotions and disciplinary processes, while supporting data-driven workforce planning.
The Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Nkiruka Jones-Nebo, described the launch as another milestone in the government's efforts to modernise and strengthen human resource management through technology-driven reforms.
She said the successful implementation of the new modules would depend on the commitment of permanent secretaries and other accounting officers to drive adoption across ministries and extra-ministerial departments.
Jones-Nebo urged directors of human resource management, IPPIS desk officers, information technology officers and other stakeholders to serve as key implementers and advocates for the effective utilisation of the platform.
Managing Director of SoftAlliance and Resources Limited, Dr Bisi Aina, whose company developed the platform, said the launch marked the completion of a 15-year digital transformation journey that had evolved IPPIS from a payroll-focused system into a comprehensive human capital management platform.
He said the indigenous solution would reduce dependence on foreign software, protect the government from foreign exchange volatility and ensure sensitive personnel data remained under Nigerian control.
The Federal Government said the platform would also serve as the foundation for future integration with other government systems, advanced analytics and predictive workforce planning as part of efforts to build a more efficient, transparent and globally competitive Federal Civil Service.
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