The Cross River State Government has launched a comprehensive digital literacy and capacity-building programme aimed at transforming its civil service into a fully paperless and technology-driven workforce by the end of next year. The initiative, called the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity and High Performance (CIVTECH) programme, was officially inaugurated by the Head of Service of Cross River State, Orok Okon, at Prof. Eyo Ita House in Calabar.
According to the schedule released by the government, the training began with Cohort 1, which includes Directors and Deputy Directors of Administration, and runs from November 4 to 6, 2025. Cohort 2, made up of Assistant Directors, Chiefs, and Principal Officers, will take place from November 11 to 13, while Cohort 3, featuring officers on Grade Levels 8 to 10, will be held from November 18 to 20, 2025.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Head of Service, Orok Okon, said the programme was developed in collaboration with the Cross River State CR-MEDA shortly after his assumption of office. He explained that the initiative aligns with the state government’s vision of building a modern, efficient public service through digital transformation.
“This initiative aligns with our goal of achieving a paperless civil service by the end of 2026,” Okon stated. “Every cadre of staff across state and local government services will undergo ICT training to ensure full computer literacy and digital proficiency. This is timely and crucial as we transition to e-governance.”
The Director General of CR-MEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, noted that the CIVTECH training is a reflection of Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to civil service reform, one of the central pillars of the People’s First Blueprint. “You cannot reform the civil service without technology and education,” Ogban said. “This training translates the governor’s vision into action. Civil servants are the drivers of government policy, and this programme will enhance their efficiency, speed, and output.”
Also, the Chairman of CR-MEDA, Esessien Edet, praised the state government for introducing what he described as a paradigm shift from analog to digital operations. “This programme moves our workforce from non-ICT compliance to digital proficiency,” Edet said. “It will drastically improve turnaround time, productivity, and service delivery.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Office, Mrs. Glory Odu Oji, stated that administrators were chosen as the starting point because of their crucial role in data management and policy implementation. “Once administrators are ICT compliant, the entire system will function more efficiently,” she said. “Participation is voluntary, but over time, productivity will reflect who embraced the opportunity.”
Participants at the event described the initiative as a forward-thinking and transformative step for the Cross River State civil service. The Director of Administration in the Ministry of Human Capital and Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Icha Mboto, described the programme as a “timely and necessary intervention” that will enhance record management and digital workflows. “This training will enhance our ability to manage records and workflows digitally,” Mboto said. “It’s a major step towards modern public administration.”
The Deputy Director of Planning in the Ministry of Industry, Dr. Pamela Ekuri, also commended the government’s commitment to digital transformation. “The government’s decision to embrace ICT will make our service delivery faster, smarter, and more sustainable,” she remarked.
