Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Emerging Technologies and Family Empowerment in Southeast Nigeria: A Theoretical Perspective on the Mediating Role of Governance

Nnajieto Charles Chibuzor, Nnajieto Augustina Onyedikachi and, Mbara Jessica, Onyedikachi, Phone

Abstract

Emerging technologies are increasingly transforming family life by reshaping access to information, education, financial services, employment, markets, and social networks. However, technological advancement does not automatically translate into family empowerment, particularly where inequalities in digital access, affordability, literacy, infrastructure, and institutional support persist. This paper examines the relationship between emerging technologies and family empowerment in Southeast Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of governance. Drawing on Technological Determinism theory, Structuration theory, Social Capital theory, and Empowerment theory, the paper develops a sociological understanding of how technological opportunities can be converted into meaningful family capabilities and agency. The analysis argues that emerging technologies can strengthen family livelihoods, digital financial inclusion, education, communication and social connectivity, but their benefits are conditioned by governance arrangements. Effective governance can facilitate inclusive digital infrastructure, digital literacy, gender-sensitive access, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, data protection and public trust, while weak governance may reinforce existing socioeconomic inequalities. The paper consequently conceptualises governance as the institutional mechanism connecting technological opportunities to family empowerment and, ultimately, inclusive social development. It concludes that technology should be viewed as a potential rather than automatic instrument of empowerment and that inclusive, accountable and responsive digital governance is essential for ensuring that technological transformation benefits families across Southeast Nigeria.

Keywords

Emerging technologies; Family empowerment; Governance; Digital inclusion; Southeast Nigeria; Inclusive social development.

References

Abdulkareem, H. K. K., Jimoh, S. O., Nofiu, T. T., & Akande, R. S. (2025). Leaving no one behind: Examining the effect of financial, gender, and digital inclusion on sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 33(2), 2519–2534. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3245 Adam, I. O., Alhassan, M. D., Shaibu, A., Abdul Mumin, M., & Abdulai, I. (2025). The effects of digital transformation on inequality: Do the mediating effects of digital inclusion and the ICT regulatory environment matter? Journal of Innovative Digital Transformation, 2(2), 156–175. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDT-04-2024-0007 Adams, S., & Akobeng, E. (2021). ICT, governance and inequality in Africa. Telecommunications Policy, 45(10), 102198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2021.102198 Adeleke, R. (2024). “Urban–rural differences in women's use of mobile money and the underlying determinants: Evidence from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.” Women’s Studies International Forum, 104, 102919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2024.102919. Adeolu, A., & Ayodeji, D. K. (2025). “Determinants of use of digital innovation and its impact on land acquisition and food security among farming households in Nigeria.” World Development Perspectives, 39, 100702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2025.100702. Akeju, K. F. (2024). Financial inclusion, household decision-making and child health outcome in Nigeria. Innovation Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.36923/ijsser.v6i2.262 Akpaa, A. F., Asongu, S. A., & Batuo, M. E. (2024). The role of governance in the effect of the internet on financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa. Information Technology for Development, 664–682. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2024.2412607 Alakitan, M., & Makinde, E. (2025). Where are the ethical guidelines? Examining the governance of digital technologies and AI in Nigeria. Policy & Internet, 17, e416. https://doi.org/10.1002/poi3.416 Barata, J., & Kayser, I. (2024). How will the digital twin shape the future of Industry 5.0? Technovation, 134, 103025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2024.103025 Bradley, L., Shanker, S., Murphy, J., Fenge, L.-A., & Heward, M. (2023). Effectiveness of digital technologies to engage and support the wellbeing of people with dementia and family carers at home and in care homes: A scoping review. Dementia, 22(6), 1292– 1313. https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012231178445 Chung, K. H., Shim, D. C., & Park, H. H. (2024). Revisiting theory of social capital: Can the internet make a difference? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 202, 123282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123282 Cloete, F. (2023). Transition from paper-based analogue government to sustainable digital governance outcomes in Africa. Administratio Publica, 31(2). Daskalopoulos, E. T., & Machek, O. (2024). Leveraging social capital for digital transformation: The role of ambidexterity and familial orientation. The Journal of High Technology Management Research, 35(2), 100512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hitech.2024.100512 Erstad, O., Hegna, K., Livingstone, S., Negru-Subtirica, O., & Stoilova, M. (2024). How digital technologies become embedded in family life across generations: Scoping the agenda for researching ‘platformised relationality’. Families, Relationships and Societies, 13(2), 164–180. https://doi.org/10.1332/20467435Y2024D000000023 IJSSMR Funlayo, A. K., Adeleke, O. K., Ani, J. I., & Igbolekwu, C. O. (2024). Financial digital inclusion and women’s empowerment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Evidence from Nigeria. Sustainability Quest, 1(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.36923/SQ.v1i1.240 Gil García, E. L. D., Alemán Ramos, P. F., & Martín Quintana, J. C. (2024). Impact of digital technology on family life and leisure activities: An approach from families with adolescents. Loisir et Société / Society and Leisure, 47(2), 370–385. https://doi.org/10.1080/07053436.2024.2368678 Gobena, A. (2024). Unboxing reskilling narratives: Analysing practice, agency and signifier in social media. New Technology, Work and Employment. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12299 Hanisch, M., Goldsby, C. M., Fabian, N. E., & Oehmichen, J. (2023). Digital governance: A conceptual framework and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 162, 113777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113777 Ho, T. L., Ngoc, L. H., & Ho, T. H. (2025). Digital inclusion or exclusion? Exploring the moderating role of governance in digitalization's impact on income inequality in developing countries. Research in Globalization, 10, 100283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resglo.2025.100283 Jatnika, D. C., Burhanudin, M., Budiarti Santoso, M., & Septiyanti, S. P. (2024). Empowerment Theory and Digital Village: Insights from West Java's Digital Village Programme. The Journal of Indonesia Sustainable Development Planning, 5(3), 227–245. https://doi.org/10.46456/jisdep.v5i3.623 Johnson, A., & Rogers, M. (2024). Strengthening and supporting parent–child relationships through digital technology: Benefits and challenges. Family Relations, 73(3), 1550– 1567. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12960 Kgoale, M. P., & Phahlane, M. (2024). Structuration theory perspective of Big Data in a typical South African municipality. South African Journal of Information Management, 26(1), a1780. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v26i1.1780 Lafton, T., Wilhelmsen, J. E. B., & Holmarsdottir, H. B. (2024). Parental mediation and children’s digital well-being in family life in Norway. Journal of Children and Media, 18(2), 198–215. Lui, A. T., Ozor, P., Emma-Ebere, O., Uzochukwu, S., Ezemonye, L., & Odejimi, D. (2025). Improving women’s digital and financial inclusion in Nigeria: A nudging and capacity based human rights framework. Journal of Banking Regulation, 26, 891–909. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41261-025-00292-z Nnajieto, C. C., Nnajieto, A. O., Okoronkwo, B. O., & Ihejieto, R. (2026). Rethinking poverty reduction: Exploring the digital age’s transformative potential. Interdisciplinary Research Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 13(3), 1-12. https//doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21337214. Osinubi, T., & Simatele, M. (2026). Digitalisation, governance, and income inequality in African countries. Discover Sustainability, 7, 543. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-026- 02912-8 Ozili, P. K. (2024). Women digital financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria. Journal of Internet and Digital Economics, 4(3), 161–178. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDE-07- 2024-0027 Peeters, R., Miller, S. M., & Schuilenburg, M. (2025). Digital government inclusion: Exploring strategies for inclusive government automation. Government Information Quarterly, 42(2), 102028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2025.102028 Qian, Y., & Hu, Y. (2024). The digitalization of family life: A multilevel conceptual framework. Journal of Marriage and Family, 86(5), 1160–1183. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12983 IJSSMR Richardson, P. E., & Wilson, S. (2024). Evaluating a women's digital inclusion and storytelling initiative through the lens of empowerment. Digital Geography and Society, 7, 100092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diggeo.2024.100092 Sun, Y., Zhong, Y., Jeyaraj, A., & Zhu, M. (2024). The impact of enterprise social media affordances on employees' thriving at work: An empowerment theory perspective. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 198, 122983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122983 Xiao, A., Xu, Z., Skare, M., Qin, Y., et al. (2024). Bridging the digital divide: The impact of technological innovation on income inequality and human interactions. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, 809. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03307- 8

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

Governance Quality and Capital Inflows in Selected Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas)

Author: Ekere, Edobot, Chukwu, Sancho Nwobuisi , Amadi, Sonny Nwonodi , Ewubare, Dennis Brown

Farmer–Herder Crises and Its Implications on Food Security in Sankera, Benue State, Nigeria: An Empirical Mixed-Methods Study

Author: Iorkaan Samuel Kuma, ., Yange Clement Terlumun, ., Bam Clement Liambee, Hubert, Keghnen Katyona, ., Terngu Paul Ugosor

The Cost of Emotional Labour: Implications for Commercializing Human Resource Outcomes in Modern Organizations

Author: Samuel, Ogonda Victor PhD, Uhuru, Goodluck Prince. PhD, Agara Splendorpeace Dunbo PhD