Lagos deepens Procurement Reforms with digital innovation, legislative backing

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, digital transformation, and inclusivity in public procurement.

The government made this known at the 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA), held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja on Thursday.

Speaking at the Forum, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the PPA Governing Board, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, described the annual gathering as “a strategic platform for promoting sustainability, reviewing the Agency’s performance, and strengthening collaboration.”

He announced the successful deployment of the e-Procurement platform across 80% of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and noted that the e-Registration system had streamlined contractor onboarding.

“Our unwavering commitment to due process, transparency, and accountability is central to our goal of delivering maximum value for every kobo spent,” Oluyomi, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahmoud Alao, stated.

He encouraged stakeholders to actively engage and “equip yourselves with the tools required to comply with the Procurement Law.”

Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, hailed the Agency as “a model of excellence, both within and outside Nigeria,” adding that it “has restored stakeholders’ confidence and reinforced the integrity of public procurement in the State.”

Agoro, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyebola,  acknowledged that while no system is perfect, the Forum’s theme, “Sustainable Procurement in a Customer-Friendly Environment,” reflected the Agency’s focus on innovation and continual improvement.

“We are convinced that inclusive governance, where the voices of both public and private sectors are heard, leads to more effective, people-oriented outcomes,” Agoro said.

He urged that recommendations from the Forum be “carefully documented and integrated into policies.”

The Director-General of PPA, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, also stressed the Forum’s role in “supporting the ecosystem of service providers operating in Lagos State.”

He highlighted efforts to ensure inclusivity through the creation of a Gender Desk to assist women entrepreneurs in navigating procurement opportunities.

“This initiative is already making public procurement more accessible for women-led businesses,” Onafowote said.

He welcomed feedback on the e-Procurement platform and encouraged stakeholders to use the formal complaints mechanism for transparency and accountability.

Representing the legislature, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement, Hon. Samuel Apata, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to “supporting the Agency in carrying out its statutory responsibilities without fear or favour.”

Apata commended the Agency for sustaining the Forum, calling it “a crucial platform that promotes transparency, compliance, and accountability.”

He noted that the creation of the Committee itself “is a testament to the importance we attach to procurement governance.”

Urging continued collaboration, Apata said: “Comply with the Public Procurement Law, adhere to due process, and fulfil all tax and levy obligations to the State.”

The Forum featured key presentations by financial institutions, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), the Ministries of Finance and Wealth Creation, and insurance firms.

Discussions centred on access to funding, tax compliance, business registration, land use charges, and risk mitigation for SMEs.