Telecommuting in the covid-19 period in Nigeria: Implications on public service delivery in Ogun State judicial service commission

Abstract

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for telecommuting has enhanced the opportunities available to workers to perform their duties right from different locations outside their offices. Hence, the main objective of this study is to determine the extent to which telecommuting has enhanced public service delivery in Nigeria in the Covid-19 and Post Covid 19 era with specific reference to Judicial Service Commission in Ogun State. The article is anchored on both Technological, Organizational and Environmental (TOE) and Digital Era Governance Theory. The study adopted a descriptive-survey research design. A mixed method approach which comprises both qualitative and quantitative techniques was used. Data were sourced from Ogun State Judicial Service Commission through a structured questionnaire and interview while descriptive statistics such as frequency and tables were used in presenting the data, relevant hypotheses were tested using Chi-Square nonparametric technique of hypothesis testing. Qualitative data were content analysed. Secondary data were sourced from journals, articles, internet materials and among others. The finding of the study reveals that telecommuting enhanced public service delivery at the Judicial Service Commission since the outbreak of Covid-19 Pandemic and in the Post-Covid 19 era. Telecommuting contributed significantly in reducing the spread of Covid-19 virus in the Ogun State public service and the Judicial Service Commission in particular. The study also reveals that telecommuting system does not enhance the efficiency of workers in the public service with reference to Ogun State Judicial Service Commission. On the basis of the findings of the study, it concludes that telecommuting has been found to be an effective strategy that Government at all levels in Nigeria can employ in public service to prevent a disruption in socio economic activities whenever there is an outbreak of epidemic like Covid 19 pandemic in the country. The study recommends that there should be deliberate policy by the government at all levels to encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to be technological compliant and to promote the use of telecommuting so as to engender efficient public service delivery.