Abubakar Kyari, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has officially launched an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) aimed at boosting service delivery, improving workflow efficiency, and strengthening transparency within the ministry.

Announced in a statement on Thursday by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head of the Ministry’s Department of Information, Kyari said the EDMS was developed under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025. The system is designed “to digitise records, automate workflows, and drastically reduce reliance on paper-based processes.”

The minister highlighted that the initiative is aligned with the Federal Government’s broader goal of achieving 80% digitalisation of government operations by 2025, and transitioning to a fully paperless civil service by 2030. He noted that the system will “fundamentally transform how records are created, processed, stored, accessed, and secured within the ministry.”

Kyari emphasised that the EDMS would also “significantly reduce delays associated with manual file movement, enhance collaboration across departments, improve document traceability, and strengthen audit and security controls.” According to the minister, these improvements are critical for informed decision-making, policy continuity, and effective governance.

He described the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as “a strategic ministry central to livelihoods, economic diversification, and national stability,” adding that efficiency and responsiveness are “non-negotiable.” Kyari said the EDMS would act as an enabler, ensuring seamless information flow, timely decisions, and the preservation of institutional knowledge for future planning.

The minister called on all ministry staff to fully embrace the system, stressing that the success of EDMS would depend not just on its technical capabilities, but on disciplined use, adherence to workflows, and continuous capacity building. He commended the Permanent Secretary, the Department of Planning & Policy Coordination, the Project Implementation Team, and all contributing staff, as well as Quomodo Systems, the consultants responsible for delivering the user-centric and secure EDMS solution, named DOC STREAM.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described the EDMS as a transformative tool that will “reduce dependence on paper-based processes, minimise delays in file movement, improve collaboration across departments, and strengthen records security and audit trails,” ultimately supporting faster decision-making and more effective governance.

Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, praised the initiative, noting that the ministry plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s development, touching areas such as food security, agricultural productivity, value-chain development, rural livelihoods, and national nutrition outcomes.

The launch of EDMS marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing digital transformation of public services, reflecting a commitment to efficiency, transparency, and modernised governance across key federal ministries.