Improving e-government services implementation in Nigeria: an organisational development perspective

Abstract

E-government services are gaining grounds in Nigeria and this is attributable to the liberation of the telecommunications sector which enabled internet network coverage and subscriptions. Despite these achievements, there are still organisational development challenges impacting the implementation of e-Government services in Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to investigate the organisational challenges that impact the successful implementation of e-Government services in Nigeria looking through the lens of the Nigeria e-Government Master Plan and the e-Government Capacity Building Programme. To accomplish this, a qualitative research approach was adopted, based on the social – technological theoretical framework. The socio-technical systems design (STS) have been applied in various literature that relate to e-Government. Both primary and secondary data were collected in this study. Primary data were gathered through interviews and focus group discussions from public servants at the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy. Secondary data were gathered through a review of literature on e-Government initiatives and this included relevant textbooks, journals, published thesis and other internet materials. The qualitative data gathered in this study were analysed using thematic analysis and document analysis. The study recognised the need to improve e-Government implementation in Nigeria from a public policy driven organisational development approach to solving the problems confronting the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy as it charts the course for other Ministries, Departments and Agencies to facilitate ICT as a key tool in the economic growth of Nigeria and transformation agenda for the entire country. From the analysis and findings, it is apparent that improving Nigeria's e-government services depends on a systematic strategy that involves the need to understand issues impacting e-government services, processes relating to the implementation of e-government services, some of the socio-technical concerns that must be addressed for the implementation of e-government services in Nigeria and how an organisational development framework can improve e-government services in Nigeria