The Lagos State Government has reinforced its dedication to enhancing transparency, digital transformation, and inclusivity within public procurement, underscoring efforts to modernise and make more accessible the processes that govern state contracts. This commitment was prominently showcased at the 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA), held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja.
At this annual forum, which serves as a strategic platform for reviewing the agency’s progress and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the PPA Governing Board, Mr Abayomi Oluyomi, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to deliver value for public funds through stringent due process and accountability. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Mahmoud Alao, Oluyomi highlighted the successful deployment of the e-Procurement platform across approximately 80% of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), along with an e-Registration system that has streamlined contractor onboarding. This digital shift marks an important stride toward enhancing procurement efficiency and transparency in the state’s public sector.
The role of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency in setting a benchmark goes beyond technology adoption. The Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, lauded the PPA as “a model of excellence, both within and outside Nigeria,” and credited it with restoring stakeholder confidence and reinforcing the integrity of public procurement in Lagos State. He acknowledged that while no system is flawless, the Forum’s theme—“Sustainable Procurement in a Customer-Friendly Environment”—aptly captures the Agency’s focus on innovation and continuous improvement. Agoro emphasised inclusive governance, stating that effective, people-centred outcomes arise when both public and private sector voices are heard, urging that recommendations from the forum be integrated into future policies.
In line with promoting inclusivity, the PPA has made significant efforts to empower women entrepreneurs within public procurement processes. The Director-General of the PPA, Mr Fatai Idowu Onafowote, announced the establishment of a dedicated Gender Desk within the Contractor Registration Department, designed to assist women in navigating procurement opportunities. This initiative reflects Lagos State’s broader commitment to gender equality in the business ecosystem. Complementing this is the creation of a Gender Responsive Procurement (GRP) Technical Working Group tasked with formulating policies for inclusive procurement. The agency has also collaborated with UN Women on capacity-building programmes aimed at enhancing the ability of procurement specialists to implement affirmative procurement policies, thereby expanding opportunities for women and other vulnerable groups.
The emphasis on broadening access and ensuring compliance was echoed by the Chairman of the Lagos State House Committee on Public Procurement, Hon. Samuel Apata. Speaking at the Forum, Apata pledged legislative support for the agency’s statutory functions and praised the Forum as a critical venue for promoting transparency, accountability, and adherence to regulatory frameworks. He stressed the need for adherence to the Public Procurement Law and full compliance with tax and levy obligations to strengthen governance.
Further contextualising the digital transformation of public procurement in Lagos, recent data reveals the steady onboarding of MDAs to the e-procurement platform. Since reaching 80% integration, the number of digital-compliant MDAs has continued to grow: 82 MDAs were onboarded as confirmed by the PPA, while additional increments brought the total to 169 MDAs by mid-2025. This near-complete digital adoption represents a monumental effort to streamline public procurement, making it more open, accountable, and easier for businesses to engage with government contracts.
The Lagos PPA’s digital reforms and inclusivity initiatives have garnered praise from international development partners, including the World Bank, which recognise the agency’s performance as a leading example of digital accountability and innovation in public sector procurement in Africa.
Presentations at the forum from financial institutions, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), and other government bodies underscored the intertwined nature of procurement, tax compliance, business registration, and risk management, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These discussions underscore the Lagos administration’s holistic approach to creating a business-friendly environment while maintaining stringent governance standards.
Together, these developments illustrate Lagos State’s continued leadership in public procurement reform, pioneering a model that blends digital innovation, gender inclusivity, and multi-sector collaboration to deliver sustainable, transparent, and equitable procurement practices.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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