Lagos arms procurement officers with digital tools to expose bid-rigging, favouritism

In a bold step toward institutionalising transparency, fairness, and objectivity in public procurement, the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA) has concluded a two-day capacity-building workshop on the e-Evaluation module of its e-Procurement platform.

Held at the Amber Residence Conference Room in Ikeja GRA, the workshop brought together procurement officers, bid evaluators, and key stakeholders from across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to equip them with practical skills in using the automated evaluation tool.

The initiative is a cornerstone of the agency’s ongoing drive to improve procurement integrity through digital transformation.

Declaring the training open, the Director-General of LSPPA, Fatai Idowu Onafowote, underscored the module’s role in promoting impartiality and traceability in bid evaluation processes.

He noted that by automating evaluation procedures, the State is reducing the risk of human error and subjectivity, thereby ensuring that procurement decisions are based solely on merit and compliance with laid-down criteria.

“This training is not just about digital literacy—it is about reinforcing ethical standards,” Onafowote stated.

“A transparent and fair procurement system builds public confidence and safeguards public resources. The e-Evaluation module enables us to meet these standards consistently and reliably.”

Onafowote encouraged participants to serve as ambassadors of reform, urging them to apply the knowledge gained with diligence and integrity.

He highlighted the State’s leadership in deploying a fully integrated e-Procurement lifecycle, covering e-Registration, e-Tendering, e-Bidding, e-Evaluation, e-Publishing, e-Notification, and e-Award processes.

Speaking during the closing session, Director of Procurement, Akintunde Subair, commended Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for prioritising transparency and accountability in procurement governance.

He noted that Lagos State’s proactive approach has earned it recognition beyond Nigeria, particularly among sub-national governments in East Africa.

Subair called on participants to internalise the principles of fairness and objectivity by applying the digital tools not only as a means of compliance but as instruments for public service excellence.

“Let your actions speak louder than words. Uphold the spirit of transparency in every evaluation you conduct,” he said.

The workshop featured a blend of theoretical sessions and hands-on exercises, guiding participants through the key stages of digital bid evaluation: Preliminary Examination, Detailed Financial Evaluation, and Post-Qualification Assessment.

A strong emphasis was placed on the accurate interpretation of evaluation criteria, consistency in scoring, and the importance of verifiable documentation.

Participants demonstrated improved proficiency in navigating the e-Evaluation platform and reported greater confidence in applying the automated system to real-time procurement scenarios. Many described the training as timely, practical, and crucial for strengthening compliance with state procurement laws and global best practices.

There were also calls for more specialised follow-up sessions, particularly on the Post-Qualification stage, to build further capacity in handling complex procurement scenarios.