https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/42 2026-07-21T13:33:14Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3539 Prospects and challenges of technology adoption in the appropriation process in Nigeria Adepeju, Arifayan Mary The appropriation process in Nigeria, which involves the preparation, consideration, and passage of the national budget by the legislature, plays a critical role in ensuring sound public financial management and the effective delivery of government services. However, this process has consistently faced challenges such as bureaucratic delays, lack of transparency, inadequate data management, limited public participation, and weak legislative oversight. In response to these issues, this study explores the potential of modern technology to reform and enhance the Nigerian appropriation process. It focuses on the application of digital tools such as electronic budgeting systems (e-budgeting) and real-time expenditure tracking dashboards to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability throughout the budget cycle. To achieve this, the study adopts a mixed-methods research design that integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches for a comprehensive analysis. The quantitative phase began with a survey targeting legislators and key stakeholders to assess perceptions and practices related to technology use in the National Assembly. Insights from this phase highlight existing gaps and opportunities in the current system. The qualitative phase builds on these findings, offering deeper exploration into the experiences, barriers, and potential strategies for digital adoption. The study’s target population includes 109 Senators, 10 legislative staff members, 5 representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), 5 policy and budget experts, and 2 ICT specialists. A simple random sampling technique will be used in the quantitative phase to ensure each eligible respondent, particularly among legislative staff, has an equal chance of being selected. The findings suggest that with adequate investment in digital infrastructure and sustained political will, technology can play a transformative role in Nigeria’s appropriation process enhancing budget accuracy, enabling real-time monitoring of public spending, and strengthening both legislative oversight and citizen engagement. The study concludes with practical recommendations for lawmakers, policymakers, and development partners aimed at fostering an enabling environment for the digital transformation of Nigeria’s public finance system. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3538 Digital campaign strategies and their impact on election outcomes in Nigeria Adebola, Adetokunbo This study examined the rising influence of digital campaign strategies in Nigerian elections, focusing on their application and impact during 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections. It highlights how political parties have increasingly leveraged digital platforms, such as social media, mobile applications and targeted online advertising to engage voters, especially younger and urban demographics. The study also addresses challenges related to misinformation, unequal internet access and varied digital literacy levels across Nigeria’s diverse population. Additionally, the study critically assesses the 2022 Amended Electoral Act’s provision for integrating technology into election processes. Recommendations are offered for political parties and policy makers to enhance digital campaign strategies and strengthen democratic engagement in Nigeria. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3537 Legislative Intent and Judicial Interpretation: A Case Study of the Electoral Act, 2022 Onuoha, Adaobi Blossom This research is an exposition of the relationship dynamics between the legislative intent and judicial interpretation, how legislative drafters can reflect the legislative intent and improve the drafting process to minimise ambiguity and improve the quality of legislation and implementation in Nigeria using the Electoral Act 2022 as a case study. The justification of this research was the need to examine if there is a relationship between the legislative intent and judicial interpretations of the Electoral Act. The research adopted the doctrinal research methodology and relied on primary and secondary source materials. Primary source materials used include the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as altered), Electoral Act, Hansard Reports, and case laws. Secondary source materials used include textbooks, articles, newspapers, and internet materials. The finding on the first research objective is that in the Electoral Act, the legislative intent was that the National Assembly gave INEC the discretion to determine the mode of transmission of results. The finding on the second research objective showed that there was no obvious dichotomy between the legislative intent and the judicial interpretations of the court with regard to electronic voting, as the courts interpreted the provisions based on the clear meaning of the provisions. However, due to divergent decisions of courts on some provisions of the Act, it was opined that if the provisions on the electronic voting system were well legislated, little would be left to the discretion of the judiciary, as well as ensuring uniformity in their judgments. The finding on the third research objective noted that to minimise ambiguity and under legislation of some electoral procedures like the electronic voting system, the legislative drafter is required to conduct research into electoral laws of other jurisdictions, articulate and translate the intent of the legislature in the future amendments of the Electoral Act to achieve qualitative election practices. The finding on the fourth research objective demonstrated that Nigeria can adopt some electoral practices from other jurisdictions, such as the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) in the electoral process and the blockchain technology to enhance the elections. The research recommended that the process of the electronic voting system, should be adequately covered in subsequent amendments to the Electoral Act to minimise ambiguity and enable the judiciary to determine the legislative intent with ease. The research also recommended that the courts utilise the extrinsic aids of interpretation, like the Hansard Report, in coming to judicial conclusions in electoral cases. It also recommended that the legislative drafter adopt comparative legislative drafting and research to identify which technology best suits the electoral process in Nigeria to draft electoral laws devoid of ambiguity. The research also recommended the adoption of electoral practices from other jurisdictions to improve the electoral process. From the findings of this research, it is concluded that the Electoral Act is due for an amendment, especially as regards the electronic voting system and all other lacunae discovered when the Electoral Act was subjected to judicial interpretation in the last general elections. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3518 Reflecting Legislative Intentions in Legislative Drafting: A Review of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 SiyanPeter, Adejoke Rejoice The study addresses the critical issue of ensuring that legislative drafting truly reflects legislative intentions, using the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 as a case study. The specific objectives of the study are to examine the extent to which the Act captures the legislature’s intentions, to identify challenges in translating policy objectives into legislative text, and to assess the implementation gaps that hinder alignment between the law and its application. The justification for this study stems from the need for a police law that supports democratic values such as human rights, accountability, and community engagement. With the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 replacing the outdated 2004 version, the research is timely and essential for improving both the quality of lawmaking and the effectiveness of police reform in Nigeria. To achieve these objectives, the study adopted a doctrinal and emperical research methodology. This involved the analysis of primary legal sources, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, alongside secondary sources such as scholarly articles and official reports and physical interviews of police officers. The research first analyzed the legislative history and objectives behind the Act to evaluate how well they are expressed in the statutory language. It then examined the drafting process and the challenges inherent in translating complex policy objectives into legal text. Lastly, it assessed the implementation of the Act by key stakeholders, such as the police, judiciary, civil society, and government agencies, with a view to uncovering institutional, legal, and political barriers. From this study, the key findings show that while the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 makes commendable efforts to incorporate legislative intentions—particularly in areas of accountability, transparency, and human rights—there are gaps in expression and implementation. The study found that unclear statutory language, overlapping mandates, and insufficient stakeholder engagement limit the effectiveness of the Act. Furthermore, challenges such as weak oversight mechanisms, limited public trust, and inadequate funding contribute to a disconnect between legislative intention and operational practice. The analysis also revealed that the lack of periodic review mechanisms hampers the adaptability of the Act to emerging security challenges and societal expectations. Based on these findings, the study recommends a series of reforms. Firstly, legislative clarity should be improved to reduce interpretive ambiguities, and statutory review clauses should be introduced to ensure the law evolves with time. Oversight bodies like the Police Service Commission must be strengthened to enforce accountability, while regular independent audits should be institutionalized. Comprehensive training in human rights and community engagement should be prioritized for police officers, alongside the integration of modern technology in policing strategies. Ultimately, the study concludes that aligning legislative drafting more closely with legislative intent is essential to the realization of democratic policing in Nigeria. 2025-03-01T00:00:00Z