Document Management and Workflow Automation in Selected State Government Ministries in Bauchi State

This study examines document management and workflow automation practices in selected state government ministries in Bauchi State, within Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Effective document management underpins efficient government workflows, yet many Nigerian state ministries remain dependent on manual processes that introduce delays, errors, and accountability gaps into official correspondence and decision cycles. Using a professional diagnostic design, the study targets administrative directors, ICT officers, and records managers in five Bauchi State ministries. Data are collected through structured questionnaires, workflow mapping tools, and system capability assessment guides. The Business Process Management (BPM) Framework and the Document Lifecycle Model provide the theoretical grounding, with literature from 2020 to 2024 on e-government and workflow automation in Nigeria informing the analysis. The study identifies current workflow inefficiencies, evaluates the readiness of ministries for workflow automation, and assesses the impact of available automation tools on administrative turnaround times. Recommendations target the Bauchi State Ministry of Finance, the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, and ICT regulatory bodies. Keywords: document management, workflow automation, government ministries, Bauchi State, e-government