Adoption and Utilization of E-Government in Human Resource Management in Nigerian Public Service: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

This study examines the opportunities and challenges of the adoption and utilization of e-government in human resource management in the Nigerian public service. In doing this, the paper relies mainly on secondary method of data collection which it analyzes using content analysis. Structural functionalism serves as the theoretical framework. The study argues that the utilization of e-government in the Nigerian public service presents a sustainable, effective, responsive and innovative approach to addressing traditional problems of human resource management. However, the study also reveals that e-government initiatives for human resource management in the public service is hampered by many challenges and problems such as lack of e-government infrastructure; challenges of leadership and lack of political will; low e-government skills, literacy and usage; problem of adopting to change; Nigeria’s epileptic power supply; problem of digital divide; high cost of ICTs and affordability; Nigeria’s low e-readiness; lack of e-government units and functions; inadequate e-government funding by the government; poor institutional governance structure to drive e-government utilization in the public service, etc. The study therefore recommends that the government and all concerned persons/organizations should concisely tackle these challenges vis-à-vis human resource management in the Nigerian public service.