Evaluating the influence of Electronic Governance on Public Services Delivery in Nigeria

Abstract

For many years, Nigeria has been operating several government and private businesses using manual records, with a large amount of paperwork dominating the system. The international community has used a few indices to assess the status of e-governance in all countries; one of these indices is prescribed by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Despite the lofty ideals and benefits of technological innovations, Nigeria appears to be lacking in its implementation of e-governance and public service delivery. This study sought to ascertain Nigeria’s status on the global ranking and to examine possible challenges impeding the proper implementation of e-governance in the Nigerian public sector. The study was situated within the ambit of the Technological Determinism and Modernisation Theory. Following a conceptual and empirical research approach which focuses on examining the secondary data, the study revealed that Nigeria is ranked 5 th among countries in West Africa and 141 globally on the UN EDGI 2020. The challenges of e-governance in Nigeria include limited power supply; inadequate Infrastructural facilities; digital divide; corruption in public office; budgeting and financial costs; human expertise. The study concluded through the EGDI that Nigeria is yet to attain its best in the drive for viable, transparent, efficient, and effective e-public services. It was then recommended that the Nigerian government should provide the necessary infrastructure that will aid the successful implementation of e-governance in Nigeria’s public service. Also, Nigeria’s public servants must show a high level of e-readiness in their operations.

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