By Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State Government has begun charting a long-term course for a more transparent, efficient and accountable public procurement system, with the development of a strategic roadmap extending to 2036.
The initiative followed a four-day retreat organised by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA) in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme in Ikeja.
The retreat brought together procurement officers, technical experts, consultants, civil society representatives and stakeholders from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the health sector, local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Participants examined existing procurement practices, identified institutional and operational challenges, and explored strategies to strengthen accountability, regulatory compliance, capacity building, sustainable procurement and value for money in public expenditure.
Declaring the retreat open, the Director-General of LSPPA, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, said the proposed roadmap would support Lagos State's development agenda while ensuring that procurement reforms and best practices were sustained over the coming decade.
He urged participants to align their recommendations with the state's THEMES+ Agenda and develop robust institutional systems capable of delivering lasting benefits to present and future generations.
Onafowote also highlighted the state's locally developed electronic procurement platform, describing it as adaptable, cost-effective and responsive to Nigeria's regulatory and operational realities.
According to him, the platform's Software as a Service (SaaS) model enables continuous upgrades, enhanced security and the integration of user feedback to improve performance.
He added that plans were underway to expand its application across critical sectors, including healthcare, local government administration, infrastructure and urban development.
Speaking on behalf of the RoLAC State Coordinator, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa, Mr. Samson Onwusonye underscored the need to sustain institutional partnerships and consolidate gains recorded through procurement reforms.
He explained that RoLAC's interventions were designed around a ten-year vision, noting that the programme's data, institutional structures and evidence-based outcomes could provide a foundation for future reforms and sustainable institutional development.
The retreat facilitator, Mr. Chibuzor Ekwekwo of A.E. Law Partnership, described public procurement as a critical component of modern public financial management, stressing that effective procurement systems were essential to accountability, efficient resource allocation and improved public service delivery.
He urged stakeholders to develop future strategies based on evidence-driven assessments of existing strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, rather than relying on assumptions.
The retreat is expected to produce practical recommendations and strategic priorities to modernise procurement processes, strengthen institutional capacity and entrench transparency, efficiency and sustainability in public procurement across Lagos State.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure that public resources are managed responsibly and that government spending delivers measurable value to residents.
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