DIGITAL GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC SERVICE ACCOUNTABILITY IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY AND CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT

Digital governance has emerged as a critical instrument for improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public administration across developing countries. In Nigeria, the adoption of digital governance initiatives has gained increasing attention as governments seek innovative approaches to address persistent challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiency, corruption, and weak service delivery mechanisms. This study examines the role of digital governance in enhancing public service accountability and administrative efficiency within Nigeria’s public sector institutions. The research explores the extent to which digital technologies have transformed governance processes and strengthened citizen engagement in public administration. The study adopts a qualitative research design relying on secondary data sources including academic literature, government policy documents, institutional reports, and international governance assessments. The analysis is guided by the theoretical perspectives of Digital Era Governance and New Public Management, which emphasize the role of technology-driven reforms in improving public sector performance. Findings indicate that digital governance initiatives such as electronic procurement systems, integrated financial management platforms, and online citizen feedback mechanisms have contributed to improved transparency and administrative efficiency in some sectors of Nigeria’s public service. However, the study also identifies several challenges limiting the effectiveness of digital governance initiatives, including inadequate technological infrastructure, digital literacy gaps among public officials, institutional resistance to change, and weak regulatory frameworks. The study concludes that while digital governance presents significant opportunities for improving public administration in Nigeria, its success depends largely on strong institutional capacity, supportive policy frameworks, and sustained political commitment.