The Katsina State Government has launched a paperless governance system to begin digitising operations across its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The initiative, unveiled by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, marks the start of a major reform intended to make public service more efficient, transparent and responsive to citizens’ needs.
The pilot phase of the programme targets permanent secretaries and key directors in the state civil service. It replaces traditional paper-based processes with electronic systems for memo processing, approvals and communication between government offices. Governor Radda said this shift will reduce delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks that often slow down decision-making and service delivery. He explained that digital tools will allow officials to approve documents and communicate across agencies more rapidly than before.
According to the governor, the paperless system will also improve the security of sensitive documents. Files will be stored digitally using encryption, reducing the risk of loss or tampering compared with physical paper files. The new approach is expected to cut costs tied to printing, storage and distribution of hard-copy documents, while giving government workers tools like official email accounts and digital signatures to handle tasks electronically.
Governor Radda said the programme is part of his administration’s broader goal of building a “smart, responsive and globally competitive government.” He noted that remote approvals beyond normal office hours will be possible, boosting productivity across the civil service. The initiative aims to create a public administration that is efficient, transparent and environmentally responsible.
The state is also planning to build a data hub in 2026 to support the e-governance system. This centre will provide reliable digital infrastructure to store government information and deliver e-services for all MDAs. Officials say the data hub will further strengthen data sovereignty and make government operations more dependable and accessible.
The Head of the Civil Service, Falalu Bawale, highlighted that the locally developed digital platform will help improve work processes through improved file handling, inter-agency communication and performance tracking. He said the system’s tools will allow staff to work more efficiently and ensure better accountability in public service.
Governor Radda added that this first phase is just the beginning, and that the government plans to extend the training and rollout to all civil servants in the state in the months ahead to fully embed digital practices in the public service.
