Digitization Of Electronic Documents In Nigeria: A Technological Advancement In Justice Administration

The Federal Government of Nigeria in 2020 declared a lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a shutdown of physical economic activities and by extension neither the courts nor the offices of notaries public were open to the public. Notwithstanding the lockdown, e-commerce and remote work were in full force due to the advancement of technology, however, the hurdle of virtual signing and/ or notarization of documents and agreements were daunting because of uncertainties as to the admissibility of such documents. Also, in April 2021 courts were closed due to the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) strike which paralyzed judicial activities across the federation for over two months in Nigeria.