FG unveils indigenous digital HR system for 508 MDAs to boost efficiency

The Federal Government has launched a new indigenous digital human resource management system designed to improve how it manages personnel records, payroll processes and workforce planning across 508 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Human Resource (HR) Modules, launched by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), will provide a single platform for managing the full employee life cycle of federal civil servants, from recruitment and onboarding to career progression, postings, leave applications, payroll updates and retirement.

Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, who unveiled the platform on Monday in Abuja, said the platform marks a major step towards building a more efficient, transparent and technology-driven civil service.

Walson-Jack explained that the new system goes beyond payroll management by creating a digital environment where government employees can access and manage their employment information while enabling ministries to make better workforce decisions using accurate data.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards building a modern, efficient and technology-driven federal civil service,” Walson-Jack said.

She added that the platform would eliminate many manual processes, reduce delays, improve personnel records and strengthen accountability across government institutions.

The HR modules include biometric enrolment and onboarding, establishment management, employee self-service, workforce mobility, payroll and human resource variations, reporting and data analytics.

According to the Head of Service, the system will also end outdated practices associated with manual postings and approvals by lobbying for posting. It is now digitalised, introducing digital workflows.

“No more lobbying for posting. It is now digitalised,” she said.

The platform currently serves 508 MDAs and is expected to provide the government with real-time workforce information needed for planning, skills deployment, succession management and policy decisions.

Walson-Jack said the solution was developed by Nigerians for Nigerians, describing it as an example of the government’s Nigeria First policy.

She noted that using an indigenous platform would reduce dependence on foreign software licences, limit exposure to foreign exchange pressures and keep sensitive government personnel data under Nigerian control.

However, she stressed that the success of the system would depend on how well ministries and employees adopt it.

“Technology alone cannot deliver reforms. Even the most sophisticated platform will only succeed when users understand, accept and use it correctly,” she said.

She urged permanent secretaries, directors of human resource management and other responsible officers to ensure proper implementation within their respective institutions.

Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, Accountant-General of the Federation, disclosed that the programme has now expanded to 508 MDAs, covering more than one million employee records.

Ogunjimi said the launch represents the next phase of the IPPIS reform journey, which began in 2007 with seven pilot MDAs.

He said IPPIS had transformed payroll administration by improving transparency, reducing payroll fraud and strengthening controls over public funds.

He explained that integrating human resource management with payroll systems would improve government spending decisions by ensuring personnel costs are based on accurate workforce information.

“Sound public financial management is only as effective as the quality of the underlying personnel data that informs government expenditure,” he said.

The Accountant-General added that the new platform would support better budgeting, expenditure control and accountability across government institutions.

Also speaking, Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), described the development as one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s public service history.

Olaopa, who said he was involved in the early stages of the IPPIS journey more than two decades ago, said the system had helped move personnel records from scattered manual files into a central database.

He noted that the new HR modules would allow civil servants to track their records, apply for leave online, monitor promotions and support data-driven workforce planning.

However, he called for stronger data integrity measures, saying the government must continue improving verification processes to ensure that digital records remain accurate.

Bisi Aina, Managing Director of SoftAlliance and Resources Limited,said the launch represents the completion of a 15-year journey towards building a comprehensive digital workforce management system for the federal government.

He said the platform had evolved from a payroll-focused solution into a complete human capital management system capable of handling recruitment, employee services, workforce planning, reporting and analytics.

Aina said the indigenous technology platform would provide economic and strategic benefits by reducing reliance on foreign software solutions and ensuring that government workforce data remains under Nigerian control administrators by reducing paperwork, automating approvals and allowing.

He added that the system would improve efficiency for administrators by reducing paperwork, automating approvals and allowing civil servants to access services digitally.

“The federal government’s personnel and payroll infrastructure now runs on a platform conceived, built, deployed and supported entirely by Nigerians on Nigerian soil,” he said.

The launch brings together the OHCSF, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Federal Civil Service Commission, SoftAlliance, and other stakeholders as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s public service.

The government said the platform would serve as a foundation for future integration with other digital government systems, including advanced analytics and improved workforce planning.