Gender as a Digital Divide: Does Sex Moderate the Relationship Between Digital Literacy and E-Government Adoption in Nigeria?

The global push toward e-government has raised critical questions about whether digital transformation is equally accessible across demographic groups. While digital literacy has been widely recognised as a key determinant of e-government adoption, the moderating role of gender in this relationship remains insufficiently explored, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where structural inequalities intersect with digital access disparities. This study investigates whether sex significantly moderates the relationship between digital literacy and e-government adoption among Nigerian citizens. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed, with structured questionnaires administered to 369 respondents selected through stratified random sampling in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Digital literacy, e-government adoption, and demographic variables were measured using validated multi-item scales. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via SmartPLS, with multi-group analysis (MGA) applied to test the moderating effect of sex across male and female subgroups. Findings confirm that digital literacy exerts a significant positive influence on e-government adoption. However, multi-group analysis reveals that sex significantly moderates this relationship, with digital literacy demonstrating a stronger predictive effect on e-government adoption among male respondents than female respondents, reflecting persistent gendered digital inequalities in the Nigerian context. The study concludes that e-government strategies that overlook gender as a structural variable risk deepening existing digital divides. Policymakers and public administrators must adopt gender-sensitive digital literacy interventions to ensure equitable access to and benefits from e-government platforms in developing countries.