PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF E-GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES IN NIGERIA’S PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.

Abstract

The relative scarcity of scholarly attention directed towards other digital initiatives has underscored the importance of examining the objectives, prospects and challenges associated with e-passport, National Identification Number (NIN), and electronic civil registration and vital statistics (e-CRVS) digital solutions within Nigeria's public administration landscape. In the course of the analysis, the study utilised the frameworks of New Public Management (NPM) and Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE). A case study method was used to explore the opportunities and difficulties associated with the mentioned digital smart solutions, relying primarily on secondary data from government publications and peer-reviewed articles before the data underwent thematic analysis. The study revealed that the considered digital technologies had the potential of improving security, providing unique identity for all citizens, generating revenue for government, assisting government in national planning and reducing corruption by overcoming the issues of weak digital infrastructure, inadequate human capacity, extortion and poor data collection tools by vital statisticians. Consequently, the paper recommended Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) in providing robust digital infrastructure for internet penetration, inclusivity and cyber security; awareness campaign on the relevance of capturing vital statistics by government organisations such as the Ministry of Information and Orientation and National Orientation Agency (NOA); improved data collection techniques and methods of vital statisticians and report of corrupt officials/agents to the appropriate authority to adequate sanction. This research holds considerable importance for policymakers, offering insights into the necessity of a robust regulatory framework for e-governance programs in Nigeria, among other things.