Nigeria TV Info — BUSINESS / ENERGY

Petroleum Ministry Moves to Fully Automate Operations, Targets Paperless System

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources on Wednesday announced plans to fully automate its operations, paving the way for paperless interactions across all departments as part of efforts to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The initiative, being implemented under the Federal Government’s Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system tagged “Go Live,” is designed to digitise internal workflows, approvals, and official correspondence. It will also migrate engagements with industry operators, regulators, and other stakeholders to secure electronic platforms.

According to government officials, the automation drive is expected to significantly reduce bureaucratic delays, minimise excessive human discretion in routine processes, and lower operational costs associated with manual documentation and paper-based systems.

THISDAY learnt that the ECM platform will enhance accountability and ensure faster decision-making within the ministry, while also aligning Nigeria’s petroleum sector administration with global best practices in digital governance.

Speaking during the launch of the project in Abuja, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, described the initiative as a bold and timely reform. He noted that the project, which is a brainchild of the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), represents a major step towards modernising public sector operations in the oil and gas industry.

Lokpobiri stressed that the transition to a fully digital system would strengthen institutional efficiency, improve record management, and support transparency in the management of Nigeria’s critical petroleum resources.

The automation of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is part of broader federal government efforts to leverage technology to reform public service delivery and enhance investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.