Lagos State Public Procurement Agency

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Procurement Officers Charged to Drive Government Performance in Lagos

Procurement Plan Clinic held at PSSDC, Magodo.

Procurement Officers Charged to Drive Government Performance in Lagos

Procurement officers in the Lagos State Civil Service have been urged to reposition themselves as strategic drivers of government performance rather than mere administrative functionaries.

The call was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Governing Board of the Public Procurement Agency (PPA), Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Public Procurement Planning Clinic organised by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA). The event was held at the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo.

Mr. Oluyomi highlighted Lagos State’s strong economic standing, noting that the state is often ranked as the second, fifth, or sixth largest economy in Africa, depending on the indices applied. He attributed this global relevance to what he described as two critical “engines of governance”: the Office of Internal Audit and the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency.

According to him, the PPA operates on world-class standards, with its processes and procedures originally developed in collaboration with the World Bank. This robust framework, he said, has enhanced Lagos State’s fiscal credibility, enabling the state in some instances to achieve credit ratings that outperform the sovereign rating of the Federal Government and easing access to international financing.

The Commissioner stressed that procurement is not merely an exercise of authority but a powerful strategic tool for economic development. When properly executed, he noted, procurement channels public resources into critical infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals; stimulates local enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); creates jobs; builds public trust; and promotes social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Calling on officers to move beyond routine paperwork, Mr. Oluyomi urged them to evolve into “strategic economic managers”, emphasizing that the successful implementation of the state’s fiscal blueprint—the Budget of Shared Prosperity—depends largely on efficient, transparent, and timely procurement processes.

In a passionate appeal, he reminded participants that governance ultimately exists to improve the welfare of citizens. He encouraged procurement professionals to combine strict adherence to the law with flexibility and empathy in service delivery.

“Man is not made for law; the law is made for man,” he said. “As we follow public procurement processes efficiently, transparently, and professionally, we must also strive, as much as possible, to be flexible.”

The Commissioner further pledged continued government support for reforms aimed at strengthening budget credibility, improving cash management, and expanding the use of digital platforms to enhance accountability. He stressed the need to align planning with ex*****on across all sectors of government.

Acknowledging the pressures faced by procurement and internal audit offices, Mr. Oluyomi noted that such units are often subjected to blackmail or blamed for project delays. He urged officers to maintain the highest standards of sincerity and professionalism to counter negative narratives and enable service-delivery ministries—such as Tourism and Infrastructure—to fulfil their mandates effectively.

He also announced plans to convene a formal engagement involving all procurement officers and internal auditors to further strengthen the link between budget delivery and impactful governance. He reiterated that the PPA remains statutorily charged with ensuring value for money, transparency, and compliance with international best practices and World Bank standards in the acquisition of goods, works, and services for the Lagos State Government.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, House Committee on Procurement, Mr. Samuel Apata, stated that shared prosperity and sustainable development can only be achieved when public procurement is conducted with integrity and professionalism. He emphasized that every contract awarded must reflect value for money, fairness, and competitiveness.

According to him, procurement officers are custodians of public trust, whose decisions have direct implications for governance and development. He described the Procurement Planning Clinic as a critical platform for ensuring alignment with approved budgets, reducing abandoned or poorly executed projects, and strengthening legislative oversight through clearer procurement records and timelines.

Mr. Apata reiterated that strict compliance with the Lagos State Public Procurement Law by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) is non-negotiable.

“Compliance is not optional; it is a statutory obligation. When due process is followed, oversight becomes seamless and public confidence in government is strengthened,” he said.

He assured participants of the Legislature’s continued support for reforms promoting efficiency, digitalisation, local content development, and capacity building, while warning that the House would not hesitate to exercise its oversight powers in cases of breaches or misuse of public funds.

Commending the LSPPA for convening the clinic, the Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Internal Audit, Mrs. Alaka Monsurat Titilope, described the initiative as a strategic platform for strengthening procurement governance across MDAs. He noted that the programme aligns with the state’s goal of building a professional, efficient, and accountable public service.

He explained that public procurement is the process through which government policies and budgetary decisions are translated into tangible services and infrastructure that directly impact the lives of Lagosians. Procurement planning, he said, must therefore be treated with utmost seriousness.

Mr. Agoro further emphasized that procurement planning is not merely a technical requirement but a discipline requiring foresight, coordination, and strict compliance. While poor planning leads to delays, wastages, and inefficiencies, sound planning promotes timely ex*****on, cost control, and value for money. He urged Accounting Officers, Directors, and Heads of Procurement Units to ensure that only well-trained professionals handle procurement responsibilities.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Director-General, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to good governance, fiscal discipline, and institutional reforms that have positioned Lagos State as a leader in public sector innovation.

Mr. Onafowote described procurement planning as the foundation of successful budget implementation, noting that procurement determines whether government programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. He explained that the clinic was convened to ensure MDAs align their procurement plans with the approved budget, cash-flow realities, and development priorities of the state.

He highlighted ongoing efforts by the Agency to strengthen procurement oversight through document standardisation, capacity building, and the deployment of digital tools to improve efficiency and transparency.

“Procurement must never be seen as a bottleneck or a mere compliance exercise. When properly managed, it becomes a powerful development tool capable of delivering tangible benefits to the people of Lagos State,” he said.

In his closing remarks, the Director of Public Procurement, Mr. Subair Akintunde, thanked participants and urged Accounting Officers, Heads of Procurement Units, and members of evaluation committees to discharge their duties with diligence, integrity, and a shared sense of purpose. He reminded the commissioner for finance not to forget his promise of hosting the Procurement professionals soon. He expressed confidence that Lagos State can collectively build a robust procurement



AKANJI AYOOLA

Head Public Affairs

Lagos State Public Procurement Agency

10th February, 2026.

Wishing Us a Happy New Year filled with Positivity and Greater fulfilments...

Cheers!!!! 🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊🥂