Socio-legal analysis of electronic commercial transactions in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper explores the origin, development and growth of electronic commerce in Nigeria from a socio-legal perspective. Electronic commerce or e-commerce as it is popularly called has witnessed a tremendous increase in its adoption as a medium for commercial transactions in recent times. The paper adopts the doctrinal and analytical approach in its examination of the intricacies of this modern mode of doing business. It assesses the level of adoption of e-commerce in Nigeria for both domestic and cross border commercial transactions. The paper found that lack of the requisite and adequate telecommunication infrastructure was a major challenge to the consolidation of e-commerce in Nigeria. It further found that the legal framework for e-commerce transactions has not evolved sufficiently above its original provisions for traditional face to face commercial transactions. Socio cultural and socio economic hindrances to e-commerce transactions were also identified.

Key words: “Electronic Commerce”, “Commercial Transactions”, and “Electronic Contract”