INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS) ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS |Volume VIII Issue VIII August 2024 Page 3572 www.rsisinternational.org E-Governance for Functional Bureaucratization in Nigeria: Benefits and Challenges Edward Amechi Egbara, PhD. 1 , Gabriel Igwebuike Ayogu, PhD. 2 1 Department of Public Administration University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 2 Lecturer, Department of Public Administration Veritas University, Abuja DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.8080265 Received: 28 July 2024; Accepted: 06 August 2024; Published: 18 September 2024 ABSTRACT This paper examined the challenges and potential benefits in e-governance for effective bureaucratization in Nigeria. The study through review of extant works in e-governance and bureaucracy assessed the concepts of bureaucracy, bureaucratization and e-governance. An instrumental case study research design was adopted for the study. Data for the study was collected through secondary sources, personal observations and interactions during conferences. Content analysis was utilized to analyze information generated. The paper, therefore found out that application of modern information and communication technologies stand to improve on public bureaucracy by infusing accountability, accessibility, and flexibility in public administration. These could be achieved through the use of close circuit cameras, computer applications and software as well as artificial intelligence in public offices. However, the challenges in tapping into this gold mine of technology in public administration in Nigeria ranges from inadequacy of skilled ICT personnels, corruption and bureaucratic resistance, poor/inconsistent policies and regulatory frameworks, inadequate public and digital awareness, inadequate ICT infrastructure and digital divide, among others. The study consequently recommended among others that government should provide modern ICT infrastructure, promote cybersecurity and theft consciousness and develop ICT policies in Nigeria. Key words: E-governance, E-government, ICT, Bureaucracy, Public Administration. INTRODUCTION Every state and government the world over, aspires to promote the general happiness of its people and residents. Through various means, they strive to utilize their resources in most effective and efficient manner. A sure way of achieving effectiveness and efficiency in resource deployment is by instilling rationality in every aspect of public administration. In order to achieve and instill rationality in public service, the concept of bureaucracy has been developed. Bureaucracy is seen as both an institution and a process or method. As an institution, it is identified with institutions and large-scale organisations in society (Dimock, 1960). It is a state of society in which institutions overshadow individuals and simple family relationships. It represents a complex or large organization. Hyneman (1960) stated that bureaucracy is big organization. According to the author, it is considered big enough to be a bureaucracy if one has to search for who is making its policies and procedures are written out. Or if you think it takes too long for one part to find out what another part proposes to do. As a process or method, it is an approach or system followed to make and implement rational decision in complex organisations. However, according to Weber (1968), who gave the modern concept of bureaucracy, it is a universal social phenomenon, and the means of carrying “community action” into rationally ordered