Evaluating Digital Governance in Nigerian Polytechnics: A Comparative Analysis of Web Presence and Automation of Administrative Systems

Abstract

The integration of digital technologies in higher education institutions involves both front-facing informational portals and complex back-end administrative systems. This study evaluates the dual layers of digital governance across selected technical and vocational institutions in North East Nigeria by assessing stakeholders’ perceptions. The paper pursued two primary objectives: first, to determine if perceived functionality of official institutional websites varies across campuses; and second, to evaluate disparities in the operationalization of advanced digital tools for tasks such as result processing and staff promotion tracking. Utilizing survey data from stakeholders across the institutions, a cross-tabulation and Chi-square analysis revealed a general, uniform consensus of functional basic web presence, with no significant institutional divergence (X² = 28.134, p = .106). Conversely, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) exposed statistically significant disparities in the deployment of advanced administrative tools, F(4, 188) = 3.453, p = .009. Post-hoc analyses highlighted a pronounced gap between Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, and Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. These findings suggest that while basic digital presence (websites) has been largely standardized across the polytechnics, deeper institutional digitalization (advanced administrative e-governance) remains highly fragmented and subject to infrastructural and resource-based inequalities. The paper portrays significant implications regarding funding of digital interventions, capacity building and institutional support.