BARRIERS TO THE ADOPTION OF E-GOVERNANCE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

E- governance has become a critical mechanism for improving transparency, accountability, and administrative efficiency in higher education. However, adoption outcomes vary widely across developing countries due to structural and institutional constraints. This study examines the barriers affecting the adoption of e- governance and their influence on administrative efficiency in selected tertiary institutions in Taraba State, Nigeria. Technology Acceptance Model and Institutional Theory were adopted, and the study employed a cross- sectional survey design. A sample size of 395 respondents (47 staff and 348 students) from a population of 33,405 was derived using Taro Yamane's formula. To account for different population sizes of the three institutions, the study employed proportional stratified sampling. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire (Cronbach's α = 0.82) and analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression at a 0.05 significance level. Results showed that poor ICT infrastructure (M = 3.64), unstable power supply (M = 3.58), weak internet connectivity (M = 3.47), financial constraints (M = 3.49), low ICT literacy (M = 3.36), and resistance to change (M = 3.22) significantly hinder the adoption of e- governance. Regression analysis confirmed that these barriers exert a significant negative effect on administrative efficiency (β = -0.431, p < 0.001), explaining 31.8% of the variance in efficiency outcomes. The study concludes that barriers such as poor ICT infrastructure, unstable power supply, weak internet, low ICT literacy, financial limitations, and resistance to change significantly hinder the use and implementation of e- governance tools adopted in Taraba State tertiary institutions and recommends a comprehensive barrier- mitigation strategy that simultaneously strengthens ICT infrastructure and power supply, expands internet connectivity, provides continuous Strengthening these areas is essential for improving service delivery, institutional effectiveness, and digital transformation across Nigerian higher education.