PROBLEMS OF ELECTRONIC CONTRACT IN NIGERIA TODAY

Abstract

By its very nature, formation, mode of enforcement, and usage, electronic contract poses a number of legal problems that have bothered law makers and legal practitioners. It creates, for instance, legal muddle in the ascertainment of the actual time a contract is formed and as such impinges on issues of withdrawal of offer, jurisdiction and a number of such other problems. This study considered these legal issues as they relate to Nigeria. Using a doctrinal method, the inquiry found that despite the challenges, legal or otherwise, Nigerian electronic contract is vibrant, only that most Nigerians are ignorant of the fact that some transactions they agree to online are actually binding as electronic contract. The paper recommended, among other thing, that just like the traditional contract, electronic contract should be added to the Nigerian law students’ curriculum and taught as part and parcel of the law of contract.