Government and public-sector managers worldwide have within the last decade come to the realisation that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is a viable tool that can help them achieve their aims; to deliver efficient and cost effective services to its citizenry, clients and partners. To this end governments in most developed and developing countries of the world are at different stages of adoption and implementation of their chosen eGovernment policies and initiatives in a bid to reform their public sector, and improve on its services deliveries.
The reality in most African countries is that they are not democractic and where there is democracy, it is still at infant stage with steep learning curves. It could be argued that a public sector is an extension of the kind of government that is in power. Hence in some democratic countries of the developed world, their public sector presents a vibrant and supportive ally in governance . Whether democratic or un-democratic, government is divided into levels for administrative convinences toward bringing government closer to the governed. In the United Kingdom, it is broadly divided into the Central and Local governments – a two-tier structure.However in some countries like Nigeria, a three-tier structured approach is adopted, namely; Federal, State and Local governments. Circumstancially, different countries do make choice of structure based on their needs and certain political, economic and social dispositions. However, as earlier stated governments greatest desire is to bring government closer to the governed, while making all government services available and accessible to all; without fear of exclusion of disadvantaged citizens, clients and partners.
In a bid to bring government and governance to the people, the different tiers of government do at one time or the other play complementary roles to ensure that the effects of their policies and initiatives are well received by the citizenry and other stakeholders as well. Although, government from the outside presents a single, unified and indivisible entity; however, within it is devolved into different arms that are expected to work together to achieve a common goal. Working together to achieve a common goal, comes with having a relationship, understanding and clear definition of roles, duties, functions, schema and set rules that govern such relationships just like any other social system.
Nigeria’s foundation for eGovernment was laid when it adopted the Nigerian National Policy on Information Technology (IT) ‘USE IT’ policy document that spelt out the stategies and implementation roadmap for eGovernment implementation in Nigeria. The National Information Technology Developmet Agency (NITDA) was charged with the responsibility of co-ordination the Nigeria project in collaboration with National eGovernment Strategies Limited (NeGSt). It will be recalled that this policy was approved by the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo in March, 2001. It’s implementation kicked off soon in April under the watchful eyes of NITDA.What has become of the policy seven years after its initial lauch with all the pump and pagentry? What has been implemented and how has it affected the way government has done business with the citizens these past seven years?
There is so much noise about this egovernment thing that we do not know where the lines can be drawn between rhetorics and action.
We just want things to work in Nigeria, gaskia!!!
eGovernment on its own, the strategy and ideas are wonderful but the problem is with its implementation.
so, wat exactly is the history of e_govt in Nigeria…how did it come about, wat gave birth @ it n wat’s it’s situation presently?
The questions were answered in the text.
Please reread it.
i just say kodus to your intellectual contributions to the nigeria society on e-government,just still need more informations on e government as a seminar topic in my school.God bless you
Thanks for your kind comments. Please email me what you want to write about, i can direct you. All the best!
Nice to see some attempt to engage on issues of national development…from your write up Osita you would have observed that there are 3-tiers of government not one. While we have several infrastructural issues to resolve on the national front, it is important to begin to explore the ‘strategic’ relevant of the other tiers of government in implementing national policies as it affects their level i.e egovernment at state level, egovernment at local level – what are the implications?
As you are aware, we have a very powerful central government in Nigeria. Although the three (3) tier structure exist on paper in practice, we are still a long shot from it. The other representative tiers as recognized, state and local government in that order are all dependent on the central government for existence.
Not being oblivious of the tiers, a top-bottom approach (model) to eGovernment implementation will serve the purpose of Nigeria more at this point in time. The strategy here is to be driven by the federal government( FG) that will set out the policy and standards for adoption and implementation. why? This is to ensure that the federal government, the thirty six (36) states, FCT and the 774 LGAs in Nigeria will be able communicate, manage and share critical data and information.
The relevance of the other two tiers in eGovernment implementation can not be over emphasized, if indeed we are implementing a people centric eGovernment; where the foci is bringing governance to the people. The states and the LGAs are much closer to the people; hence, the need to focus at these tiers after setting the policy and standards by the FG.
Unfortunately, all the attempts to adopt and implement eGovernment in Nigeria to date have been marred by lack of understanding of what eGovernment is about. Introducing computers (computerization), digitization, ePayment etc are not eGovernment in itself but some of the appendages that drives it. You may Re-Read THIS for a start. I will be elucidating on these and other issues in subsequent outings.