Analysing Digital Technologies (e-Governance Initiative) as A Tool for Promoting Transparent Governance in Nigeria
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abuja Journal of Administration and Management
Abstract
The primary responsibility of every government either in developing or developed countries entails
the delivery of essential services to the citizenry efficiently and transparently. This is no doubt
aligned with the democratic ideals of every modern State. Conversely, the advent of e-governance,
driven by rapid advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), has emerged
to transform traditional governance practices, promoting transparency and accountability.
However, despite the benefits inherent in e-governance initiatives in Nigeria, a gap persists
between their potential benefits and actual outcomes. There is a low level of adoption and
effectiveness of these initiatives due to challenges such as low digital literacy among government
officials and citizens. The main thrust of this study centres around the assessment of the role of
internal e-governance initiatives in promoting transparent governance in Nigeria. Moreso, the
article examined the relevance of external e-governance initiatives in fostering transparency. The
study’s propositions are formulated thus: internal e-governance initiatives have not effectively
promoted transparency; and - external e-governance initiatives have similarly fallen short. Using
a qualitative research design, including the use of both face-to-face interviews and online
interview – web-based interviews and document analysis, to assess the effectiveness of egovernance in Nigeria. The study found that internal e-governance initiatives, such as e-finance
and eprocurement, have enhanced transparency and efficiency in Nigeria's public service,
particularly in financial management and procurement systems. Similarly, external initiatives like
eparticipation have promoted transparency through improved public information sharing and
online collaboration, though traditional paper-based communication remains prevalent in some
government sectors. Evidence from the study revealed that while e-governance has a high
potential to improve transparency, issues such as insufficient digital infrastructure and inadequate
training have hindered its full implementation. The study recommends investing in digital literacy,
enhancing ICT infrastructure, and fostering public awareness to maximize the benefits of
egovernance and achieve transparent governance in Nigeria.