Examination of the Effect of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Public Fund Management of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

The extent to which Information and communication technology (ICT) has been effectively utilized in the management of public funds remains a subject of inquiry and exploration. This study sought to explore the influence of ICT on the management of public funds in public institutions located in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the effects of data collection management (DCM), information security management (ISM), and digital communication infrastructure (DCI) on public funds management. To gather the necessary data, a survey research design was employed, and primary data was collected. The target respondents included government officials, financial officers, ICT professionals, and civil society representatives. To ensure the inclusion of individuals with expertise and knowledge in the subject matter, a purposive sampling technique was utilized to distribute questionnaires. A total of 425 questionnaires were distributed to various public institutions, resulting in 358 completed responses. The research instrument's reliability was assessed using the Cronbach Alpha test, which yielded an average score of 80%. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were employed to analyze the collected data. The findings of the study revealed a significant positive effect between data collection management, information security management, and digital communication infrastructure with public funds management in public institutions. Consequently, the study concluded that ICT plays a vital role in enhancing the management of public funds in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Effective practices in data collection management, information security management, and digital communication infrastructure were found to positively influence public funds management. As a recommendation, the study suggests that public institutions in Ekiti State prioritize the enhancement of their data collection management practices to improve their fund management processes.