INEC’s N1.1 trillion savings claim raises fresh transparency concerns

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria’s electoral system recorded savings exceeding ₦1.1 trillion from procurement reforms as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections, placing transparency and accountability at the centre of its operations.

The disclosure was made at a high-level capacity-building workshop for National Electoral Commissioners and management staff held in Lagos on Monday, where stakeholders underscored procurement as a critical pillar of credible elections.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Adebowale Adekunle, described procurement as the “hidden engine of electoral integrity,” revealing that ongoing reforms under the Federal Government’s agenda had already delivered “savings exceeding ₦1.1 trillion through improved price intelligence.”

Adekunle noted that over 2,700 procurement professionals had also been certified to strengthen institutional capacity, adding that efficient procurement systems are central to safeguarding democratic processes.

“Every election is a test not only of the electoral body but of the systems that support it,” he said, warning that procurement failures, even minor, could erode public trust.

The reforms come as INEC unveils its revised timetable for the 2027 elections, with presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.

Chairman of INEC, Joash Amupitan, said the Commission is repositioning its operational framework to ensure elections are not only credible but also backed by strong institutional systems.

“My primary mandate is to ensure that the electoral architecture of Nigeria is not just robust in theory but strong in practice,” he said, stressing the need to move from “rhetoric of reform to the reality of implementation.”

Amupitan emphasised that procurement, often overlooked, is the “invisible architecture” of elections, warning that when compromised, it becomes “the fault line through which trust collapses.”

He added that the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, which reduced the notice period for elections from 360 to 300 days, demands faster, more efficient procurement and logistics systems.

“This compressed timeline requires us to work with the efficiency of a well-calibrated machine… there is no room for delay, no margin for error,” he said.

Stakeholders also raised concerns over procurement risks, including over-reliance on single vendors and global supply chain disruptions, which could affect timely delivery of electoral materials.

“A resilient democracy must never outsource its sovereignty,” Adekunle warned, cautioning against excessive dependence on single suppliers.

The workshop, supported by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 elections.

Participants were urged to adopt early procurement planning, diversify suppliers and deploy digital systems to ensure transparency and efficiency across the electoral value chain.

INEC said the reforms are aimed at restoring public confidence and ensuring that future elections meet the highest standards of credibility, transparency and professionalism.