The Federal Government has completed the transition to fully digital payment systems across its ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s public financial management reforms.
Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, said no federal institution now relies on manual or cash-based processes for payments, contract settlements, or service fees. According to him, all transactions are processed electronically through approved government platforms.
Speaking during a briefing on the bureau’s reform performance, Arabi explained that the shift was driven by long-term reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of public funds. He said digitisation has significantly reduced leakages while giving citizens clearer visibility into how public resources are deployed.
The reform programme is closely linked to initiatives such as the Treasury Single Account and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, both of which were designed to centralise government revenues and eliminate waste. Arabi noted that these tools now allow real-time tracking of fund releases and beneficiaries.
Beyond payments, the bureau has also pushed MDAs to strengthen citizen engagement through functional websites, interactive portals, and freedom of information platforms. He said nearly 90 per cent of federal MDAs now operate active websites, compared to less than 20 per cent at the start of the reforms.
Despite progress at the federal level, Arabi acknowledged slow adoption by state governments, noting that only a few states have established formal public service reform structures. He said broader state participation is critical for nationwide impact.
