Title: E-Governance and Public Accountability in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Davis Ochuko Efeurhobo
Volume: 10
Issue: 8
Pages: 8-16
Publication Date: 2026/08/28
Abstract:
Since Nigeria's nascent democracy in 1999 the challenge of public accountability and transparency resonates and forms a major challenge to inclusive and developmental governance. This study examined the challenges of public accountability in selected Department Ministry and Agencies (MDAs)in Abuja the federal capital of Nigeria -(Ministries of Works, Finance and Justice, covering governance and public accountability activities within the period 1999-2025. The study was framed on five objectives to explore transparency gains, extent of adoption, barriers to implementation, cost-effectiveness relative to traditional methods, and strategies for improving e-governance uptake in Nigeria. The study adopted the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and followed a mixed-methods survey research design, with primary data obtained from 135 staff of the MDAs through a validated structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide. One-sample t-tests (? = 0.05) and descriptive statistics were employed for quantitative analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings showed that public accountability is the most highly rated benefit (mean = 4.58; SD = 0.65; t = 28.654; p < 0.05), suggesting that e-governance platforms significantly reduce lack of public accountability. Further, E-governance significantly checks delay in governance transaction costs and processing time (mean = 4.55; SD = 0.71; t = 29.042; p < 0.05). A major challenge includes inadequate ICT infrastructure (mean = 4.40; SD = 0.99; t = 19.289; p < 0.05), weak legal and institutional enforcement frameworks (mean = 4.45; SD = 1.05; t = 22.841; p < 0.05), lack of technical knowhow (mean = 4.03; SD = 1.00; t = 11.952; p < 0.05). All five null hypotheses were rejected at p < 0.05. The study concludes that there is significant transformative potential for e-governance in Nigeria, however e-governance is largely unrealized due to corruption and resistance to innovation and technological transparency, and lack of legal framework for enforcement. In the alternative, new legal framewrk and governance reform are recommended