http://localhost:8080 The DSpace digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:09:01 GMT 2026-07-21T20:09:01Z 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. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3539 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. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3538 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. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3537 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3536 Introduction to ECOWAS Community Law and Practice Ladan, Muhammed Tawfiq This book is intended primarily as an introductory textbook for students in law faculties and other relevant disciplines in the ECOWAS Members States’ Universities. It is hoped also that judicial officers, legal practitioners, researchers, government legal advisers, policymakers and interested readers will find it useful. A conscious effort has been made in every chapter to be reasonably brief so as to produce overall a concise work suitable for the needs of the above target group. Full texts of relevant laws have also been reproduced. For access to the complete book, please contact the author directly via mtladan@gmail.com or muhammed.ladan@nils.gov.ng Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3536 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z