Lagos State Strengthens Procurement Governance at Procurement Planning Clinic

 

By oluwaseyi fadoro 

R_L The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Art & Culture,

Mrs. Adebapo Abosede Oyekan-Ismaila, The Representative of Permanent Secretary Ministry of information and Strategy, Prince Ade Adedapo, the Director-General Lagos State Public Procurement Agency Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, The Commissioner for Finance and Chairman Governing Board of Lagos State Public Procurement Agency. MR. Abayomi Oluyomo, The Chairman House Committee on Permanent Procurement, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel  Apata, The Permanent Secretary Office of Internal Audit,  Mrs. Monsurat Titulope Alaka and the Permanent Secretary Cabinet Office. Mrs. Toyin  Ogunlama at the 2026 Annual Procurement Planning Clinic organised by Lagos State Public Procurement Agency held at Public Service Staff Development Centre Magodo

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to transparent, efficient, and accountable public procurement as key stakeholders converged for a Procurement Planning Clinic organized by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA).

Speaking at the clinic, the Director-General of the Agency, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, described procurement planning as the foundation of successful budget implementation and effective service delivery. He noted that procurement planning is not a routine administrative exercise but a strategic process that determines whether government programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

On behalf of the Management and staff of the Agency, 

Onafowote commended His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, for his unwavering commitment to good governance, fiscal discipline, and institutional reforms that have continued to position Lagos State as a leader in public sector innovation in Nigeria.

He explained that the clinic was convened to ensure that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) align their procurement plans with approved budgets, cash-flow realities, and the development priorities of the State Government. 

According to him, effective planning helps eliminate waste, reduce delays, and improve coordination across MDAs.

 Onafowote emphasized that public procurement accounts for a significant proportion of government expenditure and that procurement officers bear a critical responsibility in shaping service delivery, infrastructure development, economic participation, and public confidence in government. 

He stressed that procurement processes across MDAs must be guided by strict compliance with the Lagos State Public Procurement Law, transparency, openness, value for money, timely execution, and professional ethics.

He added that the Agency has continued to strengthen procurement oversight through standardization of documents, capacity building, and the deployment of digital tools to enhance efficiency and transparency, assuring participants of ongoing technical support and monitoring.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Procurement Hon Samuel  Apata reaffirmed the Legislature’s strong interest in procurement planning and execution, describing public procurement as central to public finance management and service delivery.

Representing the Lagos State House of Assembly, he commended the LSPPA for its consistent efforts at promoting transparency, professionalism, and value for money in public spending. 

He noted that procurement is the channel through which budgetary provisions are translated into tangible outcomes such as roads, schools, healthcare facilities, security infrastructure, and social interventions that directly impact citizens.

He explained that the role of the House Committee on Procurement is to provide oversight and ensure that public resources are utilized strictly in accordance with the law, approved budgets, and principles of accountability and transparency. He stressed that compliance with the Lagos State Public Procurement Law is a statutory obligation, not an option.

According to him, effective procurement planning reduces the incidence of abandoned or poorly executed projects and enhances legislative oversight through clearer procurement records and timelines. He assured participants that the Legislature remains a partner in progress, supporting reforms that promote efficiency, digitalization, local content development, and capacity building, while also exercising its oversight powers where breaches occur.

 In his own address Head of Service Mr Bode Agoro who was repesented by the Permanent secretary of office of internal Audit Mrs Mosurat Alaka said the leadership of the Lagos State Public Service emphasized the importance of professionalism and discipline in procurement activities across MDAs. Commending the Agency for organizing the clinic, the speaker noted that procurement planning is a critical discipline that requires foresight, coordination, and strict adherence to rules.

The Public Service leadership stressed that poor planning leads to delays, waste, and inefficiencies, while sound planning promotes timely execution, cost control, and value for money. 

Accounting Officers, Directors, and Heads of Procurement Units were urged to ensure that procurement activities are handled by well-trained officers who uphold ethical and professional standards.

The Office of the Head of Service reaffirmed its commitment to continuous capacity building, performance management, and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening competence and accountability within the procurement cadre.

Participants were encouraged to take advantage of the clinic to ask questions, share experiences, clarify grey areas, and adopt best practices that would improve project delivery across MDAs.

The Procurement Planning Clinic ended with a collective call for integrity, diligence, and shared responsibility among procurement stakeholders, with speakers agreeing that when properly managed, procurement remains a powerful tool for development and a key driver of sustainable growth and public trust in Lagos State.