As part of deliberate efforts to accelerate digital transformation across the Civil and Public Service, the Edo State Government, through the Office of the Head of Service, has trained over 70 E-Governance Champions on the interface, functionality, and deployment strategy of its newly developed, state-owned electronic governance platform, Edo Cloud.
The one-day intensive workshop, held at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), Benin City, brought together E-Gov Champions from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), alongside technical experts and key stakeholders within the State’s digital governance ecosystem. Participants were exposed to the platform’s enhanced features, improved user experience, and operational framework, all aimed at repositioning Edo State as a leading sub-national entity in e-governance.
Declaring the workshop open, the Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, described the Edo Cloud Platform as a major milestone in the State’s digital governance journey. He explained that the training was designed to equip E-Gov Champions with the requisite knowledge and skills to drive the seamless deployment of the platform across MDAs through a phased rollout approach that ensures stability, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Dr. Okungbowa clarified that the present administration did not discontinue e-governance but rather undertook a comprehensive review of the former system due to fundamental structural challenges. According to him, issues related to intellectual property ownership and restricted backend access limited the State’s control over its digital infrastructure.
He stated that Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, considered it unacceptable for Edo State to “breathe through the nostrils of another,” a situation that necessitated the development of a home-grown, fully state-owned platform that guarantees data sovereignty, unrestricted backend access, and sustainability.
Commending the technical team led by Dr. Benjamin Ben for their diligence and professionalism, the HOS noted that the Edo Cloud Platform is significantly more robust, secure, and user-friendly than the previous system. He also acknowledged the pivotal role played by E-Gov Champions in Edo State’s earlier success as one of the first states in Nigeria to adopt a paperless public service.
Urging the Champions to take ownership of the project, Dr. Okungbowa stressed that resistance to change often results from poor communication and limited understanding. He encouraged them to serve as ambassadors of the Edo Cloud Platform within their respective MDAs by clearly explaining its benefits and impact on work processes. According to him, the adoption of e-governance will enhance transparency and accountability, improve service delivery, increase citizen participation, and significantly reduce paperwork, while restoring Edo State’s leadership position in digital public service administration.
“E-governance was not stopped by this administration. What the Governor did, which was necessary and expedient, was to review the former structure. We are grateful to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for this more advanced and developed solution,” the HOS stated.
In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Dr. Peter Osagie, described the current phase of the Edo State Civil and Public Service as an era of digital revolution. He noted that the workshop was deliberately organised to familiarise E-Gov Champions with the new platform, enabling them to cascade knowledge and provide support across MDAs.
“This workshop is about charting a clear path forward and ensuring that we not only return to e-governance but significantly surpass what we achieved in the past,” he said.
Speaking on the platform’s capabilities, Dr. Benjamin Ben explained that Edo Cloud offers improved data control, a unified user experience, enhanced scalability, and automated workflows. He expressed confidence that users would easily adapt to the platform due to its simplicity and intuitive design. He added that the training was structured to empower E-Gov Champions to independently support and train staff within their MDAs, thereby reducing the need for constant technical intervention.
“With what we have done, there will be no need for micromanagement. The E-Gov Champions will provide support for their communities, in line with His Excellency’s directive that civil and public servants should be able to do their jobs independently,” Dr. Ben stated, adding that the platform had been successfully test-run for several months and is ready for full deployment.
Also speaking, the Head of IT Infrastructure and System Engineering at the Edo State Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Engr. Courage Adaghe, emphasised that Edo Cloud is a fully state-owned solution, guaranteeing sustainability, security, and flexibility. He noted that its modular design allows for continuous updates and expansion by in-house technical teams, ensuring it evolves with the needs of the service.
“Working as part of the team that designed this solution, I can confidently say that the platform will serve as a one-stop digital solution for public service operations. It was fully built, managed, and maintained within Edo State’s technology ecosystem,” Engr. Adaghe said.
Speaking on behalf of participants, the E-Gov Champion representing the Edo State Social Investment Programme Office, Mr. Ogbewe Osaro Anthony, commended the Governor for approving a fully state-owned e-governance platform. He described Edo Cloud as richer in content, more flexible, and better suited to public service operations than the previous system, noting that its features would significantly enhance collaboration and productivity across MDAs.
Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
Public Relations Officer
Office of the Head of Service
