Toba Owojaiye reporting
The United Nations has recognized Edo State as the top performer in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and digital governance within Nigeria.
This acknowledgment was conferred in Lagos during the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Design Workshop, which saw participation from representatives of all 36 Nigerian states, including commissioners and managing directors of state ICT agencies and parastatals.
Over the past seven years, the administration led by Governor Godwin Obaseki has implemented significant reforms in Edo State’s civil and public service. These reforms have modernized and streamlined service delivery, replacing outdated and cumbersome processes with efficient digital operations.
Edo State currently stands out as the most digitally connected state in Nigeria, boasting the most extensive digitalization in its civil and public services. Furthermore, the state has achieved a milestone by entirely transitioning to a digital mode of administration. Administrative tasks are now processed through a comprehensive e-government platform, guaranteeing rapid response times.
At the event held in Lagos, Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, the Commissioner for Digital Economy, Science, and Technology in Edo State, expressed appreciation for Governor Obaseki’s pioneering role in the ICT sector.
He emphasized Edo State’s position as a leader in e-government adoption, having gone entirely paperless in government procedures.
Notably, Edo State has a state-of-the-art tier-three data center with a substantial storage capacity of over 1.5 petabytes, operating at an impressive efficiency level of 99.9%. This achievement sets Edo State apart as a digital frontrunner among Nigerian states.