E-Government involves the use Information and Communication Technologies for improved delivery of and access to government services. It ensures effective governance and increased transparency in the management of a country’s socio-governance and increased transparency in the management of a country’s socio-economic resources for sustainable growth and development.
It helps in the transformation of the process and work flow management in order to establish long term organizational strategy of continuous improved internal operation for timely achievement of citizens need and services.
Specifically e-government will facilities cross collaboration and co-ordination amongst government organs at different levels and ensure easier, faster and appropriate decision making process.
This is one stop access to government services in all areas of life like national planning, health, business education, recreation, employment, licensing revenue generation and other real life needs of the entire citizenry involving small and medium scale enterprises.
Generally, it reduces waste, saves time and encourages simple, moral, accountable, responsive and transparent conduct in the delivery of government services. It will adequately position in Nigeria in the global economy where it now pays a key role. Success stories of e-Government in some countries include;
 -Singapore’s e-citizen portal where the citizens are able to access about 1,600 services
provided online by their Government;
-china’s Golden Customs Programme connecting foreign trade companies, banks, customs and tax
authorities. It speeds up customs clearance and collection of taxes and duties;
- Mississippi USAs pay roll information records online; and
- Philippine’s Bureau of internal Revenue for electronic payment of taxes, bills, etc
e-Government is a public-private-partnership initiative of NITDA in Nigeria. Some components of e-government have already commenced in Nigeria e.g. the Nigerian Customs Assycuda Programme, the computerization Resident Permit by the Nigerian Immigration Service, computerization of land and Certificate of Occupancy in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The payroll of some organizations are also being computerized, online checking of WAEC, NECO and JAMB result as well as NYSC postings are part of real time and cost effective services which are part of e-government. There is therefore the need to consolidate and spread it to other services that have not been incorporated as well as to the rural areas in Nigeria.
Specific Goals
a) Creation of better business environment for local and foreign investors as technology is a catalyst for
increasing productivity and economic growth.
b) Quick response and effective delivery of public services to citizens without bottlenecks.
c) Strengthening good governance with broad based public participation.
d) Improved quality of life for the entire citizenry.
e) Improved productivity and efficiency of government agencies.
f) Job and wealth creation as well as poverty eradication.
NITDA has already established the platform for e-government. To run e-government is requite ingredient of NEEDS which is a platform for government reforms that centre’s government activities to citizen’s needs as well as focusing on computerization and capacity building. Already the version of e-government is being tied to the overall vision for the country’s growth and development. Deliverables of e-Government
• Increased transparency on the part of government
• Reduce cost of governance
• Potentials of project that create values to investors
• Bette services that are faster, cheaper and easier for government, business and the entire citizenry
• Better productivity by employers
• Wealth and job creation for investors
• Better informed citizens
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