Advancing Sustainable Development Through Digital Governance: A Case Study of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC)

Abstract

Digital governance has emerged as a transformative paradigm in the public sector, offering innovative pathways to enhance institutional effectiveness, accountability, and service delivery. In developing economies like Nigeria, where public institutions are often constrained by bureaucratic inefficiencies, weak oversight, and low public trust, digital governance provides a critical opportunity to reengineer operational systems and align institutional outcomes with national sustainable development goals. This study investigates the impact of digital governance on institutional effectiveness and performance, using the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) as a focal case study. Drawing on institutional theory, public sector innovation literature, and governance-performance frameworks, the study examines how NDIC has adopted digital technologies, such as electronic reporting platforms, risk-based supervisory systems, enterprise resource planning tools, and data analytics, to strengthen decision-making, reduce operational delays, improve compliance, and enhance stakeholder confidence. The analysis integrates documentary evidence from NDIC’s annual reports, policy documents, and external audits with secondary data on Nigeria’s digital governance reforms. Findings indicate that digital governance has substantially improved NDIC’s operational efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness, contributing to greater public trust in its deposit protection mandate. However, challenges persist, including skill gaps, cybersecurity risks, and uneven digital capacity across departments. The paper argues that institutional performance gains in the Nigerian public sector depend on embedding digital governance within a robust corporate governance framework, emphasizing clear accountability lines, data-driven planning, and continuous capacity building. The study concludes that NDIC’s experience offers valuable lessons for other public institutions seeking to leverage digital governance as a strategic tool to achieve institutional resilience, service excellence, and sustainable development outcomes in Nigeria.