By Joy Onu
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has taken a major step towards full digitalisation with the launch of the One Government Enterprise Content Management System (1Gov ECMS), a platform designed to eliminate paper-based processes, reduce operational costs and improve efficiency across the aviation sector.
The development was disclosed in a press release issued to the media by the Acting Head of Press & Public Affairs of the Ministry, Mrs. Margaret Oyinboade.
The system was officially unveiled on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK).
Speaking at the event, Keyamo said the aviation sector’s nationwide spread, with offices and agencies located at airports across the country, had in the past made the physical movement of files inevitable. He explained that documents were often transported between airports, zonal offices, Lagos and Abuja for approvals, a practice that consumed both time and public funds.
The minister disclosed that in 2023 alone, the Ministry spent over N500 million on flight tickets and related logistics strictly for the movement of physical files. According to him, the deployment of the 1Gov ECMS would drastically cut such expenses while strengthening efficiency, transparency and accountability in government operations.
Keyamo noted that beyond cost savings, the digital platform would eliminate manual bottlenecks, end the practice of searching for missing files, shorten approval timelines and improve service delivery across all departments and agencies under the Ministry.
“What we will save with this system is not just money, but efficiency, time and the integrity of government processes. This platform will save Nigeria,” he said.
The minister also emphasised the importance of the platform in protecting Nigeria’s digital sovereignty. He explained that the government owned system, powered by Galaxy Backbone Limited, safeguards sensitive government data against foreign vendor lock-in and external security threats. He further commended the inclusion of a secure video conferencing feature, which he said would reduce dependence on foreign platforms and enhance confidentiality in official engagements.
Commending the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for her leadership in public service reforms, Keyamo described the ECMS as a significant boost to performance management and key performance indicators across Ministries, Departments and Agencies. He also lauded Galaxy Backbone Limited for its professionalism and sustained support in deploying secure digital solutions for government.
In her address, Mrs. Walson-Jack described the launch as a strategic move to reduce paper usage, speed up operations and ensure seamless access to official records within the Ministry. She noted that the aviation sector occupies a critical position in Nigeria’s development framework, supporting connectivity, trade, tourism, security and technological advancement, all of which depend on accuracy, safety and timeliness.
She said the launch positions the Ministry to comply with the Federal Government’s directive on the full digitalisation of work processes by December 31, 2025, in line with Pillar Five of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025. According to her, the initiative also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises an efficient, accountable, responsive and digitally enabled public service.
While congratulating the Ministry on the successful go-live, the HCSF stressed that digital transformation is a continuous process that requires consistent and disciplined use of the system. She acknowledged Galaxy Backbone Limited, the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure backbone and custodian of the 1Gov Cloud, for its technical expertise and continued support.
Mrs. Walson-Jack further directed that all official correspondence within the Ministry should henceforth be routed electronically through hm.registry@aviation.gov.ng or ps.registry@aviation.gov.ng, signalling a formal shift from paper-based processing to disciplined digital operations.
