The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has progressed to the second day of its landmark three-day capacity building workshop for National Electoral Commissioners and the Commission’s Management Staff, with the Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, leading deliberations to reinforce procurement integrity as a cornerstone of credible elections.
The Chairman’s presence at the Day Two sessions underscored the Commission’s unwavering commitment to strengthening procurement systems ahead of the 2027 General Election. Having declared the workshop open on Monday through the National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Prof. Amupitan joined participants in person, actively engaging facilitators and contributing to discussions on enhancing transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency in procurement processes.
His participation reaffirmed the Commission’s position that procurement is central to electoral credibility, as it directly impacts the timely delivery of sensitive materials, deployment of technology, and overall election logistics. He emphasized that robust procurement planning and strict adherence to regulatory frameworks are critical to ensuring election readiness and public confidence in the electoral process.
Day Two featured highly interactive sessions, with National Commissioners and Directors contributing practical insights drawn from past electoral cycles. The engagements provided a platform for candid reflections on procurement challenges, institutional lessons, and strategies for strengthening compliance with established guidelines. Participants interrogated key issues around procurement timelines, vendor management, and risk mitigation within the context of Nigeria’s complex electoral environment.
The first session, titled “Building Procurement Capacity for Election Readiness,” was delivered by Mr. Nelson Ojougboh of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). He highlighted the importance of early and strategic procurement planning, noting that aligning procurement activities with the national budget cycle is essential to avoiding delays and ensuring value for money. He further emphasized the statutory implications of non-compliance, warning that procurement without a valid plan constitutes a violation of extant regulations.
Mr. Ojougboh also introduced participants to newly revised Standard Bidding Documents, designed to enhance transparency, standardization, and efficiency in public procurement. Discussions that followed enabled participants to examine practical implementation challenges and explore ways to adapt the frameworks to the specific demands of electoral operations.
The second session, “Risk Management in Public Procurement Process in Nigeria,” was facilitated by Prof. Prince Michael Ikupolati, who provided a comprehensive overview of procurement-related risks and mitigation strategies. He outlined key vulnerabilities, including operational inefficiencies, financial uncertainties, compliance gaps, and reputational risks, stressing that proactive risk management is essential to safeguarding public resources and institutional integrity.
Prof. Ikupolati also emphasized the role of insurance instruments such as performance bonds and contractor risk coverage in ensuring accountability and protecting government investments. He noted that effective enforcement of these mechanisms is critical, particularly in large-scale, time-sensitive operations such as national elections.
The third session, “Procurement Planning as the Foundation for Electoral Readiness,” was delivered by Mrs. Nanzok Bukata, who underscored the centrality of structured planning to successful procurement outcomes. She highlighted the need for comprehensive needs assessment, market analysis, and integration of procurement plans with the electoral calendar, noting that statutory timelines leave little room for delays or adjustments.
Mrs. Bukata further stressed the importance of documentation, transparency, and adherence to due process, emphasizing that clear records and open procedures are essential to maintaining public trust and institutional credibility. Her presentation resonated strongly with participants, who shared experiences on the importance of early engagement with end-users and accurate specification of procurement requirements.
Throughout the day, discussions were enriched by contributions from Commissioners and Directors, whose experiences provided practical context to the technical sessions. The interactive format fostered knowledge exchange and reinforced a shared commitment to strengthening procurement systems within the Commission.
As deliberations concluded for the day, participants expressed a collective resolve to institutionalize best practices and lessons learned from the workshop. The engagement not only deepened technical capacity but also strengthened the Commission’s culture of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
The active involvement of the INEC Chairman highlighted the strategic importance of procurement reform as part of the Commission’s broader preparations for the 2027 General Election. His leadership signaled a clear commitment to ensuring that all procurement activities meet the highest standards of transparency, efficiency, and value for money.
With the workshop continuing into its final day, the Commission remains focused on consolidating gains from the sessions and translating them into actionable frameworks that will support the successful delivery of a credible, transparent, and well-managed electoral process in 2027.
