The Political Economy of Technology Adoption in Benue State’s Public Sector: Institutional Resistance, Power Dynamics and Reform Outcomes

Abstract

The adoption of technology in public sector institutions is widely recognised as essential for enhancing efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centred service delivery. In Benue State, Nigeria, technology-driven reforms face challenges due to institutional resistance, bureaucratic inertia, and complex political and organisational power dynamics. This study examines the political economy of technology adoption in Benue State’s public sector: institutional resistance, power dynamics, and reform outcomes. A descriptive and explanatory research design was employed, using 380 questionnaires administered to staff across selected ministries. The study was guided by Political Economy Theory, which emphasises the role of political, economic, and institutional power relations in shaping reform outcomes. Findings indicate that staff engagement and readiness positively influence technology adoption, while institutional and organisational factors, including infrastructure, training, and bureaucratic culture, significantly affect implementation. Political and bureaucratic power dynamics also play a critical role in shaping reform outcomes, highlighting that technology adoption is not purely technical but a socio-political process. The study concludes that aligning institutional capacity with political and organisational incentives is key to successful digital reforms. It recommends capacity building, stakeholder engagement, policy clarity, and strategic leadership to enhance technology adoption and sustainable public sector governance in Benue State.