DIGITALIZATION AND INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT IN CROSS RIVER

This study examined the relationship between digitalization and institutional advancement in Cross River State, Nigeria. The research adopted a survey design with a population of 450 institutional administrators across 15 public institutions in the state. Using Taro Yamane's formula, a sample size of 212 respondents was determined through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.87, analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between digital infrastructure and operational efficiency (r = 0.742, p < 0.05), between digital literacy and service delivery (r = 0.698, p < 0.05), and between e-governance adoption and decision-making processes (r = 0.721, p < 0.05). The study concluded that digitalization significantly enhances institutional advancement in Cross River State. Recommendations include increased investment in digital infrastructure, comprehensive digital literacy training programs, and strengthened policy frameworks for e-governance implementation. This study contributes to understanding digital transformation in Nigerian public institutions and provides empirical evidence for policy formulation in Sub-Saharan Africa.