The Likely Positive Effects of E-Governance Implementation in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the likely positive effects of e-governance implementation in Nigeria. The study relied on qualitative method based on logical deduction and analysis of documents. Accordingly, the study employed secondary sources of data. Data were drawn from institutional and official documents sourced from the internet, journal articles and conference materials. The mass qualitative data generated were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. It was found that that the Federal Government of Nigeria is using e-governance to provide public services to citizens within and outside the country. E-governance implementation in Nigeria has helped in reducing the workloads on the employees of the Nigeria civil services. It has also been found that e-governance is applied in the civil services in Nigeria as government staff are trained to easily use electronic gadgets provided so as to effectively and efficiently serve the public in the best possible paradigms and hence causing positive increase in the quality of service delivery in the Nigeria Civil Service. E-governance implementation promotes participatory democracy, provides adequate information about political process and enhances faster social service delivery at the grassroots level. The implementation of e-governance by adopting information communication technology makes governance inclusive, efficient, responsive, transparent, accountable and more participatory which embodies the elements of good governance at local level. It was concluded that the likely positive effects of e-governance implementation in Nigeria are: reduced cost of administration; improved, fast and accurate service delivery; creates access to transparent, accountable and participatory governance; enhances networking and inter-governmental relations; boosts competitive and responsive service delivery; training of skilled manpower; and reduction of corruption in Nigeria. Recommendations were that Nigeria’s public service (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) must show a high level of e-readiness in their operations. The government must provide the necessary infrastructure that will aid the successful implementation of e-governance in Nigeria’s public service. The government should also enact Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laws that will make computer literacy a compulsory aspect for every public or civil servant both at the local, state and federal levels.