EFFECTS OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION ON SMART GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE: A CASE STUDY OF ZONE A LAGOS

Abstract

Smart governance has gained prominence as a strategy for public sector transformation, custom like any other institution is adapting the principle of smart governance in line with global international best practices. The study therefore examines the relationship between people participation and adoption of Smart Governance in Nigerian Customs Service. New institution theory was used. This study adopted survey research design. The population of the study was 6942, Krejcee and Morgan table was used to determine the sample size of 248, the data was collected through questionnaires, 272 questionnaires were distributed, 224 questionnaires were retrieved, 216 questionnaires were valid and 8 questionnaires were invalid. The data was analyse using regression analysis as well as SPSS version 25. The findings show that there is wider consultation with affected stakeholder as well as equal participation of all, users are involved in the design or planning of new or improved services, the institution is willing to support innovative ideas, most of the youths in the border areas saw smuggling as lucrative business that is means of survival, instead of following the approved roads, they prefer following illegal route to evade tax on goods and services which hinders the performance of customs in Nigeria, there was synergy between customs and other agencies such as NDLEA, importers/ agents and banks etc, there were lack of modern equipment like scanner, illiteracy and insufficient manpower. Customs also suffers from lack of internet in some of its facilities, there was also lack of transparency both on the side of customs and the stakeholder. The study recommends government should intensify effort in purchasing latest technology that stand the test of time as well as promoting synergy among the stakeholders.