Public Sector Innovation and Digital Service Delivery in Ekiti State

This study examines how public sector innovation and digital service delivery initiatives are transforming administrative performance in Ekiti State, located in Nigeria's South West geopolitical zone. Ekiti State has in recent years introduced several e-government platforms aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays, improving tax compliance, and enhancing access to government services. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 230 civil servants, private sector users of government digital platforms, and IT officers in state agencies. Both quantitative and qualitative data are analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis respectively. The Innovation Diffusion Theory by Rogers underpins the study, focusing on how innovative administrative practices spread through government organisations. Findings reveal that Ekiti's e-procurement portal and digital birth registration system have significantly reduced processing times and service costs, though adoption remains uneven across agencies and user groups. Key constraints include inadequate IT infrastructure in rural agencies, resistance to change among senior officials, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The study recommends a comprehensive digital transformation roadmap for the state civil service, investment in cloud-based infrastructure, and the establishment of a dedicated digital innovation unit within the governor's office. Keywords: public sector innovation, digital service delivery, Ekiti State, e-government, administrative reform.