Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Governance in Public Organizations: A Study of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

Abstract

With the growing level of adoption and utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the 21st century, it is cardinal to examine Information Technology Governance (ITG) in relation to approaches utilizable in public sector organizations for efficiency and effectiveness. Therefore, this work examines information, communication, and technology governance in public organizations with a focus on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The specific objective covers the level of involvement of Information Technology Governance (ITG) and the Information Technology Governance (ITG) mechanism used by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a public sector organization. Objectives also focus on the benefits of Information Technology Governance (ITG) and the challenges involved with Information Technology Governance (ITG) in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The study adopted the Technological Determinism Theory. With the adoption of the survey method through the instrumentation of a self-designed questionnaire administered to two hundred and nine (209) respondents, the study revealed that the involvement of Control Objective for Information and Technology (COBIT) as ITG mechanism in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is to a great extent. The benefits of ITG include the creation of values, improved effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery, and improvement of service quality. However, these benefits are hindered by some challenges ranging from poor infrastructures, inadequate expertise, poor resource management, culture, and bureaucracy to leadership style. The study recommends that government commitment and provision of adequate IT infrastructures to various public service agencies in Nigeria will enhance the successful implementation of ITG applications and efficiency in public service delivery. Keywords: Information Technology Public Organisation, Information Technology Governance, Nigerian Communications Commission, Standard Framework.