Awards – NITMA 2023

ACHIEVEMENTS OF HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. GODWIN OBASEKI, IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN EDO STATE

His Excellency, Mr. Godwin N. Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State, has demonstrated a visionary commitment to digital transformation, ushering in, a new era of technological advancement and efficiency in the state. Over the years, this administration has achieved remarkable milestones, in this regard. Here are some of the key achievements in the digital transformation of Edo State.

PROVISION OF IT TOOLS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE STATE.
One of the fundamental building blocks of digital transformation is the provision of robust IT tools and infrastructure. Under Mr. Obaseki's leadership, Edo State has witnessed substantial investments, built a state-owned Data Center, to house all government data and a Disaster Recovery Center for business continuity and fail over. All 3rd party data hosting and server have gradually been decommissioned and hosted in the EDSG Data Center, for better Data management and data analytics for precise decision making and cost saving to the Government.

Fiber cable ring have been laid in the State, to connect all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), key Government Facilities and some schools in the State in collaboration with MainOne and Facebook. High-speed internet Free WiFi connectivity has been rolled out to strategic locations for public use, like Markets, parks, and Universities to ensure digital inclusion. Furthermore, essential IT hardware and software resources are made available, ensuring that the state's technological foundation is strong.

To this end, 76 MDAs are connected via Fiber optic and VPN for Mobile applications. Over 6,453 laptops have been purchased and 30 MDAs have Kiosks, with at least 2 desktop computers to ensure all staff of EDSG have access to the Technological Platform. About 130 scanners has been deployed to all MDAs for the digitization of our files and all physical documents.

In addition, the state has extended its fiber Optic broadband cabling, spanning over 1500KMs to all the 18 LGAs of the state. This is to extend Digital inclusion to all the Local Government Offices across the State to provide Free Wifi access to the public in key areas.

The Second phase will connect about 48 selected schools, across the 3 senatorial districts and 119 Primary Health Centers in the state, bringing the total length of the fiber upon completion to about 2000KMs.

DEPLOYMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF IT TOOLS AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (MDAs) WITH A DRIVE OF DIGITALIZING THE STATE.
The Governor Obaseki lead administration, has successfully deployed Fiber optic and VPN for Mobile Applications across 76 MDAs within the state. This concerted effort, has facilitated the seamless digitalization of administrative processes, resulting in, increased efficiency and transparency. The implementation of the Edo-Gov Platform (Edo-Gov), an intelligent shared platform (a one-stop-shop for public service delivery), that Automate Shared Services across MDAs for Finance & Accounts, Human Resources, Procurement, Admin & Stores, and Facility Management. The e-governance tools and platforms (EDO-GOV) has 17,900 Staff onboarded, to streamline interactions between government and citizens. Over 121,500 requests have been raised on the EDO-GOV platform, with an average of 4,500 monthly run rate, after going paperless since 1st of September, 2023.

Edo State Government has deployed collaboration and communication infrastructure, in all MDAs, deployed Cisco Unified Communications, IP phones to all MDAs, with soft phone 3CX on users’ mobile phones, to improve productivity and efficiency, Office 365 Enterprise.

Technology Governance & Cyber Security Program roll out to define enterprise security architecture framework: Security-by-design where technologies are designed from the ground up, to be secured and cybersecurity solution deployment- secure digital infrastructure.

INNOVATIVE USE AND ADOPTION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE GOVERNANCE IN THE STATE.
As part of signing into the Smart City States Initiative, EDSG rolled out its first ever Residency ID with over 70,000 citizens registration. It is a Digital Identity for Edo Residents embedded with a bank wallet system. This project which is ongoing, will accurately identify and document Edo Citizens, with their demography/location, for ease of access to Government facilities, grants etc.

Also deployed and near commissioning is the EDSG Command & Control Center. A citizen interface Center, where a non-stop live streaming of events is monitored across the state. Citizens are expected to provide actionable security intelligence to government/security agencies. The same way, incidents are monitored in real time for quick intervention and decision making by experts on the subject matter.

EDSG has invested massively on Technology Infrastructure Refresh Replacing all Obsolete and EOL Network Devices including Servers, Routers, Switches, Storage Devices, Surveillance systems (CCTV), Printers, Scanners, and Laptops.

Edo State is deploying E-Commerce, an online shopping center that allows Small and Medium Enterprises, Tech Entrepreneurs, artisans/technician, traders and businessmen and women to bid for government contracts in a competitive virtual marketplace, while the E- Procurement process has been adjudged the best in the Country. Similarly, the State ICT Agency is the best in Nigeria with a recent Award.

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD MAKING IT A POWERFUL PLATFORM FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA IN GENERAL.
The realization that the power of digital transformation lies in its ability to bridge gaps, from urban to rural, and across demographics, hence the Edo State Government under the Leadership of Mr. Governor, Godwin N. Obaseki is not leaving any stone unturned when it comes to the Digitalization of Edo State. The government has gone into several partnerships, both within Nigeria and Internationally, in building human capacity on ICT.

 Over 1,296 laptops and desktop computers were supplied to 48 schools with ICT Laboratories. 208 tablets, 34 printers and 2 projectors were also supplied. Teachers and Instructors were trained on the use of these equipment.
 2 more Innovation Hubs were established in Edo North and Edo Central respectively, fully equipped and currently in use for training.
 ICT Framework for training, ongoing for all Staff.
 300 persons recently employed in the State Civil and Public Service have been trained and equipped on ICT for effective and efficient service delivery.
 Data on Innovators, Inventors, and entrepreneurs in ICT and STI in general have been collated for assessment and possible recommendation for grants.
 Edo State Council on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) was constituted. Board of Directors have been constituted for Edo Jobs. They will both work to ensure the improvement of the blueprint/framework for ICT training and drafting implementation of STI policies.


In conclusion, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has made significant strides in leveraging information technology to drive governance, enhance service delivery, and promote economic development in Edo State. His visionary approach and tangible achievements in digital transformation serves as a model, for other states in Nigeria, contributing to the broader goal of using technology as a catalyst for national progress. These efforts had positioned Edo State as a digital frontrunner in Nigeria and the whole of Africa.