In response to the increasing incidents of leaked sensitive government documents, the Federal Government is taking decisive action to address the issue.
Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has issued a memo dated February 19, 2024, emphasizing the need to put an end to the embarrassing leaks that have plagued the government.
The memo, referenced as HCSF/3065/VI/189, highlights the government’s concern over the leakage of official documents from various ministries, departments, and agencies. To tackle this undesirable trend, all Permanent Secretaries have been directed to expedite the transition to a digitalized workflow system and ensure the effective deployment of the Enterprise AFCON 2023 Content Management Solution. By reducing physical contact with official documents, the government aims to mitigate the risk of leaks and unauthorized circulation.
In addition, Permanent Secretaries have been advised to issue strong warnings to all staff members regarding the unauthorized dissemination of official information and documents. The memo emphasizes that severe consequences, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other applicable circulars, will be imposed on any officer found engaging in such misconduct.
The urgency to address document leaks stems from recent incidents that have raised public concern. For instance, a leaked memo from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation revealed plans to allocate a substantial amount of funds as allowances to the tripartite committee on minimum wage. Another leaked memo allegedly originating from the office of the Minister of Finance disclosed a significant subsidy allocation for the Hajj pilgrimage. These leaks have sparked outrage among civil society organizations and organized labor, prompting calls for thorough investigations into the allocations.
The government’s commitment to clamping down on officials leaking sensitive documents underscores its determination to maintain transparency, protect confidentiality, and uphold the integrity of its operations.