THE CHANGING FACE OF CONTRACT LAW IN THE DIGITAL ERA IN NIGERIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

The growth of technology has greatly impacted many areas of human endeavours and this has birthed the introduction of digital contracts. These digital contracts have impacted the traditional concept of formation of contract in such areas as the use of electronic signatures and emojis with positive and negative effects. In this respect, this paper aims to comparatively examine the effect that the digital era has impacted on the traditional concept of contract law in Nigeria and some other countries using the doctrinal methodology of research. The paper found that the current legal regime in Nigeria has not adequately responded to the changes that have occurred in contractual transactions as a result of the rise in digital contracts. This paper concluded by recommending the enactment of a single piece of legislation to regulate contracts that are entered into electronically or digitally in order to bring coherence and legal certainty in the digital contracts arena.