The long walk of brown files down dusty corridors is officially clocking out.

The Honourable Minister of Defence, , on Tuesday declared an end to the era of physical file movement as the Ministry of Defence formally launched its Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) Go-Live Project at the ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.

“This is not just the launch of a software application,” Musa said. “It is a fundamental shift in how we conduct the business of national security.” In plain terms: less paper, more pace; fewer bottlenecks, sharper decisions.

According to the minister, technology may be the tool, but dedication remains the engine. He urged staff to embrace the new digital workflow with open minds, noting that the ECMS marks the beginning of a more agile, efficient, and globally aligned defence bureaucracy.

Musa anchored the initiative within the broader Renewed Hope Agenda of President , which prioritises digital transformation and bureaucratic efficiency as pillars of national development. “The civil service is the engine room of this agenda,” he said, “and it must be modernised to meet global standards.”

He commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, , for setting December 31, 2025, as the deadline for all extra-ministerial departments and agencies to go paperless. Musa also acknowledged the strategic role of and the ministry’s ICT team, praising their technical expertise and tireless work to ensure a successful Go-Live.
“You have provided the digital veins through which our administrative lifeblood will now flow,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Walson-Jack described the ECMS launch as an initiative “that will stand the test of time,” stressing that any effort that strengthens efficiency, accountability, and secure information management in the civil service is a welcome development.

For a ministry charged with defence policy formulation, strategic coordination, military administration, and oversight of the Armed Forces, she said effective record management is non-negotiable. “This Go-Live represents a deliberate and strategic statement of intent,” she noted, applauding the ministry’s leadership for its foresight and resolve.

She explained that the deployment of the ECMS on the 1Government Cloud marks a fundamental change in how government business is conducted. With secured digital records, automated workflows, electronic approvals, and system interoperability, decision-making will now be driven by timely access to information rather than delayed by the physical movement of files.

The milestone, she added, places the Ministry of Defence on track to meet the Federal Government’s directive for full digitalisation of work processes by December 31, 2025, while advancing Pillar Five of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021–2025), which prioritises digitalisation across MDAs.

On his part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, , said the launch represents a critical step towards greater efficiency, transparency, and collaboration within government. He described the ECMS as a sovereign solution designed to centralise content, enhance document security, and empower staff with the tools needed to perform their duties effectively.

“Our objective is simple,” Adeyanju said. “Enable every user to work efficiently, securely, and productively, thereby improving service delivery to Nigerians.”

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, , described the launch as a pivotal transition from paper-based processes to a fully digital environment. According to him, efficiency in defence administration directly impacts national security.

“By adopting the ECMS,” he said, “we are ensuring that file movement, approvals, and sensitive data processing are handled with speed, accuracy, and maximum security.”

Pheelangwa also acknowledged the instrumental role of Galaxy Backbone in providing the resilient infrastructure required to support a paperless ministry, listing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, transparency, and accountability as key benefits of the new system—fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.