Fixing procurement: A pathway to national development and safety

Nigeria has, over the years, grappled with widespread developmental setbacks, and weak economic growth.

These challenges have made life increasingly difficult for many citizens, with some even losing their lives in the process.

We have also being fed with 'there is no money in the country' 

While various solutions and perspectives have been proposed to address these issues, one critical factor is the country’s procurement system.

Procurement is the process through which contracts are awarded for the execution of capital projects—projects that are fundamentally designed to drive development. However, when this process is flawed or manipulated, the intended benefits rarely reach the people.

For several years, I have immersed myself in analysing procurement reports. This has provided me with valuable insight into the realities faced by many communities, particularly in rural areas.

Across Nigeria, many rural communities continue to suffer from severe underdevelopment. This not only limits their growth but also exposes them to security threats, as poor infrastructure and neglect create opportunities for criminal elements to thrive.

I recall visiting a community in Ondo State that had experienced repeated bandit attacks. During my visit some years ago, one major issue stood out: several developmental projects meant to connect the community to the outside world had been abandoned halfway.

One such project was a bridge intended to link the community to a larger neighbouring town, thereby improving access for security operatives and easing movement for residents. However, the project was left incomplete.

A retired security operative I spoke with emphasised the importance of access—and he was right. It took me several exhausting hours on a motorcycle just to reach the community. In emergency situations, such delays can be the difference between life and death.

Residents explained that the abandoned bridge had been executed through direct labour, and their repeated appeals for its completion had gone unanswered. The lack of access significantly worsened their vulnerability to attacks.

For them, completing the bridge would have been more than just a development project—it would have been a lifeline.

For many communities I have visited in different zones of the country, abandoned projects make life difficult for residents. It leaves them with harder reality for hopes. Procurement is a centre-hold of a government infrastructure drive, if it is corrupt, the people suffer. More commonly, many projects in rural areas, semi-urban areas suffer fate of corruption in procurment processes, ultimately gets neglected but on paper, those responsible for these contracts paint a lofty picture.

The situation is not unique to Ondo State. In parts of Nasarawa and Niger states, I visited remote villages where health facilities reportedly marked as “renovated” were, in reality, dilapidated and barely functional.

As a result, many residents especially pregnant women—are denied access to basic healthcare. Those unable to afford transportation to urban centres are left with little or no options.

Volunteer health workers in these areas shared their frustrations. Even when communities attempt to support them with stipends, the lack of functional facilities makes their efforts almost impossible.

These examples highlight a broader issue: poor procurement processes negatively impact critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and security, ultimately leaving society underdeveloped.

I strongly believe that if procurement processes are properly managed and made transparent, Nigeria would witness significant improvements in development outcomes.

Dubious procurement practices have, unfortunately, become a means through which some public officials enrich themselves at the expense of the people.

Ironically, while the narrative persists that Nigeria lacks sufficient funds, the limited resources allocated to rural development, if properly utilised could have addressed many of these challenges.

Those who knowingly perpetuate corruption within the procurement system should be held accountable. Their actions are not merely unethical; they are criminal and have far-reaching consequences for society.

A nation that consistently fails to deliver on its development projects will inevitably struggle to progress. Even more troubling is a country where impressive projects exist only on paper, with huge sums reportedly spent but little or nothing to show in reality.

The essence of procurement is to drive growth and improve lives.

When the process is compromised, the outcomes are inevitably flawed.

If a nation draws people society on paper and refuses to follow up with contract execution, the drawing will be colorful on paper but the physical reality will continue to be a pain.

We must continually put the government on their toes on how public funds are spent for contract awards, those who are part of the corrupt system should be mentioned.

Not just because of transparency but for human development and lifelihood and survival of many.