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Public AdministrationArtificial Intelligence and Corruption/Fraud Detection in Nigeria's Public Sector
Scholarnesthub Admin
About This Research Topic Corruption remains one of the most persistent obstacles to effective public administration in Nigeria. On Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, Nigeria scored 26 out of 100 and ranked 142nd of 182 countries, behind 33 other African countries, despite dedicated agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). Traditional detection—manual audit, whistleblower reports, reactive investigation—cannot match the scale of modern public sector transactions. Artificial Intelligence and machine-learning analytics promise anomaly detection at speed and scale unattainable manually. While Nigerian banking research shows NLP-augmented AI improves fraud detection accuracy, adoption in banking remains slow due to cost and expertise gaps, and application within public anti-corruption institutions themselves remains under-examined. Explore public administration and anti-corruption project topics Main Abstract Corruption remains persistent obstacle to public administration and development in Nigeria. Transparency International 2025 CPI scored Nigeria 26/100, rank 142/182, stagnant for years despite EFCC and ICPC existence. AI and ML analytics have been proposed internationally and within Nigerian finance as tools detecting anomalous patterns indicative of fraud or corruption at scale and speed beyond traditional audit. While AI fraud detection is studied with growing rigour in Nigerian banking sector, its application within public anti-corruption institutions remains under-examined. This study investigates extent of AI-driven fraud/corruption detection capability and perceived effectiveness within selected federal anti-corruption and revenue agencies in Abuja FCT. Anchored on Fraud Triangle Theory, Fraud Diamond framework, and Principal-Agent Theory, study adopts descriptive survey design complemented by document analysis of agency reports and international frameworks including UK International Public Sector Fraud Forum (IPSFF) AI framework. Population comprises investigative, audit, ICT/data-analytics staff of selected agencies, sample via Taro Yamane formula with stratified random sampling. Data collected via structured 5-point Likert questionnaire addressing three constructs: AI/analytics adoption for detection, institutional and data-readiness factors, perceived detection effectiveness. Analysis via descriptives and inferential (Chi-square, linear regression, ANOVA) at 0.05 level. Study expected to establish current AI adoption level across agencies, identify institutional and data factors shaping adoption, and determine statistical relationship between adoption and perceived effectiveness. Concludes with recommendations on data infrastructure, capacity building, inter-agency sharing to strengthen AI-enabled anti-corruption capability.
Public AdministrationCYBERSECURITY GOVERNANCE IN GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA
Scholarnesthub Admin
About This Research Topic Digitisation of government services online portals interoperable databases digital identity systems automated back-office processing has expanded attack surface available to malicious actors even as improved efficiency and citizen access. Government institutions attractive targets for cybercriminals state-sponsored actors hacktivists given sensitivity data they hold tax records biometric identity health records and disruptive high-visibility impact successfully compromising public infrastructure. Cybersecurity governance institutional structures policies practices through which organisation identifies protects against detects responds to and recovers from cyber risk has consequently become essential rather than peripheral dimension of public-sector digital transformation. Cybersecurity governance in government institutions in Nigeria Internationally US NIST Cybersecurity Framework first released 2014 organised around five core functions Identify Protect Detect Respond Recover has become most widely referenced government-oriented framework mandated across all US federal agencies and voluntarily referenced worldwide. Comparative research on state-level US government adoption found majority state CIOs rely on NIST standards foundation enterprise-wide security policy adoption persistently constrained by funding governance stakeholder support skilled-personnel shortages illustrating even in jurisdiction with strong central guidance institutional implementation remains uneven. Nigeria cybersecurity governance architecture rests principally on two instruments: Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention Act 2015 as amended which criminalises range cyber offences and establishes institutional responsibilities including Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team ngCERT and National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy NCPS which sets out overarching approach to governance critical infrastructure protection capacity building. Recent scholarship examining instruments however finds remains unclear whether effectively secure Nigeria digital domain in practice notwithstanding existence on paper Falade & Osho 2026. Qualitative doctoral study information security officers across three information-security-certified government institutions in central Nigeria similarly found Nigerian government organisations face significant challenges complying with cybersecurity policies threatening security and efficiency of e-government systems and raising concerns about data breaches service disruption diminished public trust Waldenu doctoral study 2025. This study investigates state of cybersecurity governance institutional structures policy compliance incident-response preparedness within selected federal Ministries Departments and Agencies MDAs Abuja Federal Capital Territory to establish empirical baseline against which Nigeria cybersecurity policy ambition can be assessed at institutional level. Main Abstract As government institutions increasingly digitise service delivery and data management security of underlying digital infrastructure has become precondition for rather than adjunct to effective public administration. Cybersecurity governance institutional structures policies practices through which organisation manages cyber risk has consequently emerged critical dimension of public-sector digital transformation. Nigeria cybersecurity governance architecture rests on two principal instruments: Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention etc Act and National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy NCPS yet recent scholarship questions whether these instruments translate effectively into operational institutional practice particularly within government agencies whose e-government systems represent high-value targets for cyberattack. Qualitative doctoral study information security officers in central Nigerian government institutions found persistent compliance challenges threatening security of e-government systems while broader Nigerian cybersecurity scholarship identifies funding constraints weak legal enforcement skills shortages low institutional awareness as recurring barriers. This study examines state of cybersecurity governance institutional structures policy compliance staff preparedness within selected federal MDAs Abuja Federal Capital Territory. Anchored on NIST Cybersecurity Framework Identify Protect Detect Respond Recover Neo-Institutional Theory and Routine Activity Theory study adopts descriptive survey research design complemented by document analysis Cybercrimes Act and NCPS. Population comprises ICT information-security and administrative staff selected MDAs with sample determined using Taro Yamane formula and selected through stratified random sampling. Data collected via structured questionnaire built on five-point Likert scale addressing institutional cybersecurity governance structures policy compliance and awareness and incident-response preparedness and analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics Chi-square simple linear regression and ANOVA at 0.05 significance level. Study expected to establish current maturity cybersecurity governance across sampled MDAs identify organisational factors most strongly shape that maturity and determine statistical relationship between cybersecurity governance maturity and staff-perceived institutional resilience to cyber incidents. Study concludes with recommendations institutionalising NIST-aligned governance structures strengthening compliance monitoring and building incident-response capacity across Nigerian federal public service. Keywords: Cybersecurity Governance, Cyber Risk Management, Policy Compliance, Public Administration, Nigeria, NIST Framework, NCPS, Cybercrimes Act
Public AdministrationClimate Change Governance in Nigeria
Scholarnesthub Admin
About This Research Topic Climate change governance refers to institutional structures policies and coordination mechanisms through which state formulates implements and monitors action to mitigate greenhouse-gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. Unlike many policy domains mapping neatly onto single tier or agency climate governance inherently multilevel and multi-actor: international commitments UNFCCC Paris Agreement must be translated into national legislation and institutions which must in turn be operationalised by subnational governments and sector-specific agencies with private-sector and civil-society actors complementary roles — structure Elinor Ostrom termed polycentric governance in recognition that no single-level mechanism can by itself adequately address phenomenon simultaneously global in cause and profoundly local in impact and implementation. At SCHOLARNESTHUB, we transform climate policy research into SEO-optimized academic resources. This study on climate change governance in Nigeria is crafted for students searching for public administration project topics and environmental management project topics . Nigeria climate-governance architecture developed substantially past several years. Climate Change Act 2021 signed 18 Nov 2021 first stand-alone comprehensive climate legislation in West Africa requiring government to establish National Climate Change Action Plan and five-year rolling carbon budget with specific annual targets and creating National Council on Climate Change NCCC inaugurated 2022 chaired by President with control over newly established Climate Change Fund. Nigeria revised NDC commits to unconditional 20% reduction emissions below business-as-usual by 2030 rising to conditional 47% contingent on international support alongside longer-term net-zero target 2050-2070 — with NCCC DG reaffirming at COP30 Belem Nov 2025 national mandate to achieve 32% emissions reduction by 2035. Despite developing national architecture first comprehensive empirical assessment across all 36 states — document and budget review national survey 1,306 respondents validation workshop over 600 participants — found low climate literacy among subnational officials weak public awareness limited policy development only handful states possessing dedicated climate policies or action plans fewer than 20% maintaining climate-related budget lines and weak cross-sectoral collaboration alignment with national frameworks (Okereke et al 2025). In response Federal Ministry of Environment in partnership with Society for Planet and Prosperity launched Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking 2025 explicitly designed to benchmark and drive reform across 36 states through comparative transparency — initiative Minister described Oct 2025 as reflecting climate change status as central to current federal administration policy focus. Main Abstract Climate change governance — institutional structures policies and coordination mechanisms through which state formulates and implements climate mitigation and adaptation action — has assumed growing prominence in Nigerian public administration formalised through Climate Change Act 2021 establishment of National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in 2022 and Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under Paris Agreement which commit country to 20% unconditional and 47% conditional reduction in emissions below business-as-usual by 2030 alongside longer-term net-zero target for 2050–2070. However recent large-scale empirical research — first comprehensive assessment of climate awareness policy and action across all 36 Nigerian states involving national survey 1,306 respondents and validation workshop over 600 participants — has found persistently low climate literacy among subnational officials weak policy development (only handful states possess climate policies or action plans) and fewer than 20% of states maintaining dedicated climate-related budget lines exposing substantial structural and institutional weaknesses in Nigeria multilevel climate-governance architecture. This study investigates institutional readiness and multilevel coordination for climate governance within selected federal and subnational institutions in Abuja FCT. Anchored on Polycentric Governance Theory Multilevel Governance Theory and Institutional Capacity Theory study adopts descriptive survey research design complemented by document analysis of Climate Change Act 2021 Nigeria NDCs and Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating. Population comprises staff of NCCC relevant federal MDAs and FCT-level climate-focal-point officials with sample determined using Taro Yamane formula and selected through stratified random sampling. Data collected via structured questionnaire built on five-point Likert scale addressing three constructs: institutional climate-governance capacity (policy budget and personnel) inter-agency and multilevel coordination and perceived climate-action implementation effectiveness. Data analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Chi-square simple linear regression and ANOVA) at 0.05 significance level. Study expected to establish current level of institutional climate-governance readiness identify factors shaping multilevel coordination effectiveness and determine statistical relationship between institutional capacity and perceived implementation effectiveness. Study concludes with recommendations for strengthening institutional capacity budgetary commitment and multilevel coordination to support Nigeria climate commitments.
Public AdministrationArtificial Intelligence Governance, Transparency and Accountability in Nigeria's Public Sector
Scholarnesthub Admin
About This Research Projects As artificial intelligence increasingly mediates government decision-making—from benefits screening to fraud detection, resource allocation, and citizen chatbots—questions of governance, transparency, and accountability have moved to the centre of public administration. Unlike earlier ICT, machine learning systems can generate outputs difficult to explain even to developers, raising algorithmic opacity. International bodies responded with governance instruments: OECD AI Principles and NIST AI Risk Management Framework codify transparency, contestability, non-discrimination, human oversight. UK Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Framework and Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard require public bodies to document and publish information about automated systems deployed. In Nigeria, digital transformation agenda anchored on National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030 and emerging National Artificial Intelligence Strategy articulates ambition to deploy AI across public sector. Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and establishment of Nigeria Data Protection Commission represent steps toward data-governance architecture relevant to AI accountability. Yet Nigerian scholarship on governance has focused predominantly on general corruption and corporate-governance-style reforms, with limited attention to AI-specific governance challenges. Explore public administration AI governance topics Main Abstract As AI systems increasingly mediate government decision-making and service delivery, governance, transparency, and accountability have moved from margins to centre of public administration scholarship. In Nigeria, enthusiasm for AI-enabled public services reflected in National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030 and emerging National AI Strategy has not been matched by equally mature regulatory and institutional architecture for governing how AI systems are procured, deployed, monitored, held accountable within MDAs. This study examines state of AI governance, transparency, accountability practice in selected federal MDAs in Abuja FCT. Drawing on Principal-Agent Theory, Public Accountability Theory, and OECD/NIST algorithmic accountability literature, study adopts descriptive survey design complemented by document/policy analysis. Population comprises administrative, ICT, compliance/audit staff of selected MDAs, sample via Taro Yamane formula with stratified random sampling. Data collected via structured 5-point Likert questionnaire addressing four constructs: institutional AI-governance structures, transparency practices, accountability and oversight mechanisms, staff perceptions of AI-related risk (bias, privacy, opacity). Analysis combines descriptives with inferential Chi-square and linear regression at 0.05 level. Study expected to establish extent to which MDAs institutionalized governance structures such as designated oversight officers, algorithmic impact assessments, public disclosure practices; identify gaps between policy commitments and operational practice; determine statistical relationship between strength of governance mechanisms and perceived transparency/accountability outcomes. Concludes with recommendations addressing regulatory clarity, oversight capacity, disclosure standards, citizen-redress mechanisms to guide NITDA, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, individual MDAs in building governance architecture commensurate with AI adoption ambitions.
Public AdministrationASSESSMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE DELIVERY IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN AKWA IBOM STATE
Scholarnesthub Admin
About This Research Topic Local government occupies central place in theory and practice of democratic governance worldwide tier closest to people and by constitutional mandate expected to serve as primary vehicle through which grassroots development planned coordinated delivered. In Nigeria 1999 Constitution as amended recognises local government as third tier Section 7(1) guaranteeing democratically elected system and Fourth Schedule enumerates functions provision maintenance of primary healthcare participation in primary adult vocational education construction maintenance roads streets public highways provision markets motor parks public conveniences refuse sewage disposal registration births deaths marriages among others. These functions define local government service delivery process by which councils translate statutory responsibilities into tangible goods services improving welfare. Where local governments perform creditably citizens experience improved access healthcare safer roads better sanitation efficient civil registration. Conversely underperformance consequences felt directly dilapidated health centres uncollected refuse impassable roads non-functional markets. Since return to democracy 1999 Nigeria experimented with reforms including 1976 Local Government Reform most comprehensive attempt standardising structure nationwide despite reforms service delivery continues attracting scholarly policy attention because persistent gap between constitutional promise grassroots development and lived experience. Scholars attribute gap to inadequate funding over-dependence statutory allocation Federation Account weak IGR corruption mismanagement poor infrastructure inadequately motivated personnel weak monitoring limited citizen participation. Akwa Ibom State created 1987 comprises thirty-one LGAs each headed elected chairman and legislative council. Uyo state capital generally benefiting greater administrative attention higher IGR potential proximity state institutions while Ikot Ekpene historically significant commercial cultural centre rely more heavily statutory allocations. This article for SCHOLARNESTHUB presents rewritten assessment empirically comparing Uyo and Ikot Ekpene. For related governance research see public administration project topics on SCHOLARNESTHUB . Main Abstract Local governments occupy strategic position in governance architecture of Nigeria being tier closest to citizenry and primarily responsible for delivery of basic services such as primary healthcare primary education sanitation rural infrastructure civil registration. Despite constitutional recognition as third tier service delivery at this level remained subject of considerable public concern characterised by allegations of inefficiency poor infrastructure weak accountability low citizen satisfaction. Study assessed state of service delivery in local governments in Akwa Ibom State using Uyo Local Government Area and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area as case studies. Study guided by four specific objectives: examine level of service delivery in selected local governments identify factors influencing service delivery assess level of citizens satisfaction with services rendered and determine relationship between funding/resource allocation and quality of service delivery. Study adopted survey research design and drew sample of 380 respondents from staff and residents of two LGAs using Taro Yamane formula and combination of stratified and simple random sampling. Structured questionnaire built on five-point Likert scale principal instrument complemented by key informant interviews with selected officials. Data analysed using descriptive statistics frequency counts percentages means standard deviation and inferential statistics independent samples t-test Pearson Product Moment Correlation simple linear regression with aid of SPSS version 25. Reliability established using Cronbach Alpha coefficient 0.84 indicating high internal consistency. Findings revealed service delivery in both LGAs rated below average with mean scores 2.41 for Uyo and 2.29 for Ikot Ekpene on four-point interpretation scale and no statistically significant difference existed between two LGAs in overall level of service delivery t 1.47 p greater than 0.05. Study further found strong positive statistically significant relationship between resource allocation/funding and quality of service delivery r 0.68 p less than 0.05 and that inadequate funding poor infrastructure corruption weak monitoring mechanisms low citizen participation were major factors constraining effective service delivery. Study concluded local government service delivery in study area falls short of citizens expectations principally due to fiscal administrative and governance constraints rather than absence of legal framework. Recommended among others full implementation of local government financial autonomy strengthening IGR institutionalisation of citizen participation mechanisms such as town hall meetings public expenditure tracking and periodic capacity building for personnel. Study contributes by providing empirically grounded comparative evidence on service delivery performance across two structurally different LGAs within same state and offers framework policymakers administrators can apply in diagnosing improving service delivery gaps.
Public AdministrationGOVERNANCE AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Scholarnesthub Admin
About This Research Topic Local government is constitutionally the tier closest to the people, mandated by Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria to deliver primary healthcare, environmental sanitation, local roads, markets and other grassroots services. The promise is that decentralized governance better identifies local needs. Yet across Nigeria, service delivery remains poor—heaps of uncollected waste, dilapidated roads, under-equipped primary healthcare centres, and low citizen trust. Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State, the state capital and one of Nigeria’s most economically vibrant councils hosting Computer Village, Allen Avenue corporate cluster, and Murtala Muhammed Airport, exemplifies this paradox: relatively high internally generated revenue but persistent complaints about waste evacuation, drainage, and weak consultation. Explore public administration project topics This article rewrites the original case study on governance and service delivery in Ikeja LGA, preserving its survey methodology and findings while adding analytical depth for Scholarnesthub readers. Main Abstract This study examined the relationship between governance and service delivery in Nigerian local governments using Ikeja Local Government Area, Lagos State, as case study. Despite constitutional recognition as third tier closest to people, grassroots service delivery remains poor, marked by inadequate waste management, poor roads, weak primary healthcare and limited citizen participation. Guided by four objectives—to assess transparency and accountability, examine citizen participation, evaluate service delivery state, and determine governance-service delivery relationship—the study adopted descriptive survey design. Population 8,500 (staff and residents), sample 350 drawn via Taro Yamane formula using stratified and simple random sampling. Instrument: structured 5-point Likert questionnaire plus key informant interview guide, validated by experts, Cronbach Alpha 0.86. Analysis via SPSS v26 using descriptives (frequencies, percentages, mean, SD) and inferential (Pearson correlation, t-test, ANOVA, multiple regression). Findings: accountability and transparency moderate (grand mean 2.98), citizen participation low (2.63), overall service delivery below average (2.53). Correlation showed positive significant relationship between accountability/transparency and service delivery (r=.612, p<.05) and between citizen participation and service delivery (r=.487, p<.05). Regression revealed governance practices jointly explained 43.3% variance in service delivery (R²=.433, F(3,346)=87.45, p<.05), with accountability strongest predictor (β=.312, p<.05). Study concluded weak governance structures—low accountability, poor transparency, limited participation—significantly undermine service delivery. Recommended institutionalizing participatory budgeting, strengthening internal and external accountability mechanisms, improving fiscal autonomy, and leveraging digital platforms for transparency and engagement.
Public AdministrationArtificial Intelligence Adoption and Public Service Delivery in Nigeria
Scholarnesthub Admin
About This Research Topic Public service delivery has historically been principal measure by which citizens judge performance and legitimacy of government. In Nigeria public sector long grappled with inefficiency delay opacity limited responsiveness in delivery of essential services ranging from civil registration and tax administration to procurement immigration and social welfare programmes. These challenges persisted despite decades of reform including Civil Service Reform 1988, Public Service Reform early 2000s and SERVICOM 2004 initiative reorienting public servants toward citizen-centred service. At SCHOLARNESTHUB, we transform public administration and technology adoption research into SEO-optimized academic articles. This study on Artificial Intelligence adoption and public service delivery in Nigeria is crafted for students searching for public administration project topics and computer science project topics . Last decade witnessed global shift driven substantially by advances in digital technology and AI. AI broadly refers to computer systems capable of tasks requiring human intelligence including learning reasoning pattern recognition NLP decision support. In public sector AI applications range from chatbots handling citizen enquiries and robotic process automation accelerating back-office processing to predictive analytics informing policy and ML models supporting fraud detection. Globally governments integrated AI: UK AI-assisted case triage in immigration, Estonia AI-powered digital ecosystem, Singapore predictive analytics in urban planning, India AI chatbots across citizen portals. In Nigeria digital transformation ambition formalised through NDEPS 2020-2030, National AI Strategy and NITDA mandate driving ICT and AI governance across MDAs. Nonetheless evidence suggests adoption within Nigerian public institutions remains uneven and nascent, constrained by infrastructural deficits, power, low digital literacy, weak interoperability of legacy systems and limited ICT budget — recent multi-city surveys found composite AI-adoption mean scores only marginally above midpoint of five-point scale. Understanding extent and facilitators/inhibitors essential to translate digital-economy ambitions into tangible citizen experience improvements. Main Abstract Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in public sector emerged as defining feature of contemporary public administration reform promising gains in efficiency responsiveness and transparency. In Nigeria successive reform programmes — including Servicom initiative, National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030), and more recent National Artificial Intelligence Strategy — signalled intent to leverage emerging technologies to improve public service delivery. However extent to which Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have actually adopted AI-driven tools and degree to which such adoption translates into measurable improvements remains under-researched. This study investigates level of AI adoption and its relationship with public service delivery in selected federal MDAs in Abuja FCT. Anchored on Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, and New Public Management theory, study adopts descriptive survey design. Population comprises administrative and IT staff of selected MDAs from which sample drawn using stratified random sampling determined using Taro Yamane formula. Data collected through structured questionnaire built around five-point Likert scale complemented by document analysis of relevant government policies and secondary institutional data. Quantitative data analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies percentages means SD) and inferential statistics (Chi-square and simple linear regression) to test hypotheses at 0.05 significance. Study expected to establish current level of AI adoption across sampled MDAs, identify key facilitators and barriers — including infrastructural deficits, digital-skills gaps, funding constraints, data-governance concerns — and determine statistical relationship between AI adoption and indicators of service delivery such as turnaround time accuracy and citizen satisfaction. Study concludes with policy-relevant recommendations on institutional capacity building funding regulatory clarity and change management to support responsible effective AI adoption across Nigerian public service. Findings expected to contribute to public administration scholarship on technology-enabled governance in developing countries and provide practical guidance for policymakers seeking to modernise public service delivery through emerging technologies.
Public AdministrationEnvironmental Governance and Sustainable Development in Nigerian Local Governments
Scholarnesthub Admin
About This Research Topic Local government is, on paper, the tier of government closest to the flooded street, the blocked drain, and the overflowing refuse dump. In practice, Nigeria's environmental sanitation departments at this level are often the least funded and least equipped arm of government, precisely the ones citizens depend on most for grassroots environmental protection. This study looks at three local government areas in Enugu State to find out exactly where that gap between mandate and capacity comes from. This article works through a survey of 400 local government staff and residents across Enugu East, Enugu North, and Nsukka, testing how institutional capacity, policy enforcement, and citizen participation relate to sustainable environmental outcomes. Readers researching related governance topics can browse the Public Administration and National Development in Nigeria project on ScholarNest for a closely related study on Nigeria's public sector reform. What follows covers the background to environmental governance at the local government level in Nigeria, the specific problem this study addresses, its objectives, questions, and hypotheses, the key terms used throughout, and closes with frequently asked questions for students and researchers working on environmental governance and sustainable development. Main Abstract This study examined environmental governance and sustainable development in Nigerian local governments, with specific focus on selected Local Government Areas in Enugu State. The study was motivated by the growing environmental challenges confronting local communities in Nigeria, including indiscriminate waste disposal, flooding, deforestation, and poor sanitation, and the apparent weak capacity of local governments to translate environmental policy into sustainable outcomes. Anchored on Governance Theory and Principal-Agent Theory, the study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A sample of 400 respondents, comprising local government staff and residents, was drawn from three purposively selected LGAs, Enugu East, Enugu North, and Nsukka, using stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire designed on a five-point Likert scale was the primary instrument for data collection, complemented by secondary data from government publications and institutional reports. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores, while the chi-square statistic was used to test the three hypotheses formulated for the study at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that environmental governance structures exist in the sampled local governments but are significantly hampered by inadequate funding, weak enforcement of environmental regulations, poor inter-governmental coordination, and low citizen participation in environmental decision-making. The study further found a statistically significant relationship between institutional capacity and the effectiveness of environmental governance, as well as a significant relationship between citizen participation and sustainable environmental outcomes. The study concludes that local governments in Nigeria, though constitutionally positioned as the closest tier of government to grassroots environmental problems, remain largely under-equipped to drive sustainable development outcomes. The study recommends, among others, the strengthening of the fiscal and regulatory autonomy of local governments, capacity building for environmental health personnel, enhanced collaboration between local, state, and federal environmental agencies, and the institutionalisation of participatory mechanisms that involve citizens and community-based organisations in environmental governance.
Public AdministrationE-Government Implementation and Citizen Satisfaction in Nigeria
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About This Research Topic Building an online portal is the easy part. Getting citizens to actually feel satisfied using it, especially when something goes wrong, is a different problem entirely. Rivers State has rolled out e-government platforms for tax payment, land registry, driver's licensing, and identity enrolment, and this study set out to measure what citizens actually think of them, not what the deployment reports say. This article works through a survey of 265 citizens who use five of these platforms, testing which specific factors, accessibility, ease of use, reliability, or responsiveness, actually drive satisfaction. Readers researching related governance topics can browse the Public Administration and National Development in Nigeria project on ScholarNest for a closely related study on Nigeria's public sector reform. What follows covers the background to e-government adoption in Rivers State, the specific problem this study addresses, its objectives, questions, and hypotheses, the key terms used throughout, and closes with frequently asked questions for students and researchers working on digital public services and citizen satisfaction. Main Abstract This study examined the relationship between e-government implementation and citizen satisfaction, with specific focus on selected e-government platforms in Rivers State, Nigeria. The increasing deployment of digital platforms by government agencies to deliver public services electronically has generated considerable interest in the extent to which such platforms actually meet citizens' expectations and improve their overall experience of public service delivery. The study was guided by five objectives, five research questions, and three hypotheses examining the effect of accessibility, ease of use, service reliability, and responsiveness on citizen satisfaction. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire built on a five-point Likert scale was administered to a sample of 280 citizens drawn from users of five purposively selected e-government platforms in Rivers State, namely the e-Tax/Revenue Payment Portal, the National Identity Number Enrolment Portal, the e-Land Registry/GIS Portal, the FRSC e-Driver's Licence Portal, and the CAC Online Business Registration Portal, using stratified random sampling from an estimated population of 15,000 registered users. Data collected from 265 valid respondents were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and simple linear regression, with the aid of SPSS version 26. Findings revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between e-government implementation and citizen satisfaction (r = 0.64, p < 0.05), with ease of use accounting for approximately 34% of the variance in satisfaction. The study also found that while citizens generally perceive e-government platforms as accessible and reasonably easy to use, weaknesses in system reliability and, more critically, agency responsiveness to complaints and enquiries, constitute the most significant barriers to higher citizen satisfaction. The study concludes that e-government implementation is a significant driver of citizen satisfaction, but that its full benefits are constrained by inadequate customer support infrastructure, and recommends investment in more robust server infrastructure, dedicated citizen support channels, simplified user interfaces, and integrated single-window service platforms.
Public AdministrationDigital Governance and Public Sector Performance in Nigeria
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About This Research Topic Rivers State has spent several years digitising revenue collection, automating civil service records, and building online platforms for public engagement. The harder question is whether any of it has actually made the state's ministries and agencies perform better, or whether digital tools have simply been layered on top of the same old bureaucratic bottlenecks. This study set out to measure that directly. This article works through a survey of 250 civil servants across six Rivers State ministries, departments, and agencies, testing how digital infrastructure, e-service delivery, and transparency mechanisms relate to actual performance outcomes. Readers researching related governance topics can browse the Public Administration and National Development in Nigeria project on ScholarNest for a closely related study on Nigeria's public sector reform. What follows covers the background to digital governance in Rivers State's public service, the specific problem this study addresses, its objectives, questions, and hypotheses, the key terms used throughout, and closes with frequently asked questions for students and researchers working on e-governance and public administration. Main Abstract This study examined the relationship between digital governance and public sector performance, with specific focus on selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Rivers State, Nigeria. The increasing adoption of Information and Communication Technology in public administration has generated considerable interest in how digital tools, e-service platforms, and electronic record systems influence efficiency, transparency, accountability, and service delivery in government institutions. The study was guided by five objectives, five research questions, and three hypotheses examining the effect of digital infrastructure, e-service delivery, and transparency and accountability mechanisms on public sector performance. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire built on a five-point Likert scale was administered to a sample of 250 civil servants drawn from six purposively selected MDAs using stratified random sampling from a population of 1,850 staff. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and simple linear regression, with the aid of SPSS version 26. Findings revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between digital governance and public sector performance (r = 0.68, p < 0.05), indicating that improvements in digital infrastructure, e-service delivery, and transparency mechanisms are associated with improved efficiency and service delivery in the MDAs studied. The study also found that inadequate ICT infrastructure, low digital literacy among staff, epileptic power supply, and weak cybersecurity frameworks constitute major barriers to effective digital governance implementation. The study concludes that digital governance is a critical driver of public sector performance and recommends increased investment in ICT infrastructure, continuous digital literacy training for civil servants, and the development of robust policy frameworks to guide e-governance implementation in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Public AdministrationThe Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Public Service Delivery in Nigeria
Scholarnesthub Admin
About This Research Topic Getting a passport, filing a tax return, or registering for a National Identity Number in Nigeria has traditionally meant long queues, manual paperwork, and no small amount of uncertainty. Over the last few years, agencies like NIMC, FIRS, NIS, and FRSC have quietly rolled out AI-driven tools, biometric verification, algorithmic fraud detection, automated number plate recognition, meant to change that. This study asks a direct question: is it actually working? This article works through a survey of 240 civil servants across four federal agencies in Abuja, testing what AI adoption has actually done to service efficiency, citizen satisfaction, and institutional accountability. Readers researching related governance topics can browse the Public Administration and National Development in Nigeria project on ScholarNest for a closely related study on Nigeria's public sector reform. What follows covers the background to AI adoption in Nigeria's federal civil service, the specific problem this study addresses, its objectives, questions, and hypotheses, the key terms used throughout, and closes with frequently asked questions for students and researchers working on e-governance and digital public administration. Main Abstract This study examines the impact of artificial intelligence on public service delivery in Nigeria, with a focus on selected federal ministries and agencies in Abuja between 2019 and 2024. The study is motivated by the growing adoption of AI-driven technologies, including chatbots, algorithmic decision-making systems, biometric identification platforms, and data analytics tools, across Nigerian public institutions, and by the limited systematic empirical evidence on their effects on service efficiency, citizen satisfaction, and institutional accountability. Using a descriptive survey design and a structured questionnaire administered to 240 civil servants drawn from four federal agencies, the National Identity Management Commission, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, the study collects both quantitative and qualitative data on respondents' experiences with, and perceptions of, AI-enabled service delivery systems. The study is grounded in New Public Management Theory, E-Governance Theory, Sociotechnical Systems Theory, and the Technology Acceptance Model, which together provide a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the conditions under which AI adoption contributes to improved public service outcomes. Data from the questionnaire are analysed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, means, and standard deviations, and inferential statistics, chi-square tests and simple linear regression. Three research hypotheses are tested, examining the relationships between AI adoption and service efficiency, citizen satisfaction, and public sector accountability, respectively. Findings indicate that AI adoption in Nigerian public agencies has made moderate but statistically significant contributions to improved service efficiency and reduced bureaucratic delays, though gains in citizen satisfaction and institutional accountability are more uneven. Key barriers to effective AI-driven service delivery include inadequate digital infrastructure, low digital literacy among both staff and citizens, concerns about data privacy and algorithmic bias, and inconsistent political and institutional commitment to AI governance frameworks. The study recommends the development of a comprehensive National AI Strategy for Public Services, sustained investment in digital infrastructure, public digital literacy programmes, and the establishment of an independent AI Ethics and Governance Oversight Board. These findings contribute to the growing scholarly literature on e-governance and digital public administration in sub-Saharan Africa.
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