Project Administration and Procurement Procedure for Development in Nigeria: A Comparative Assessment of Different Sectors

Abstract

The document investigates Nigeria’s procurement process and the reasons behind project failures, particularly in the education, agriculture, and technology sectors. Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act of 2007, aimed at promoting transparency and efficiency, established the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP). Despite these reforms, challenges persist, evidenced by numerous abandoned projects across federal ministries. The study examines the influence of procurement methods on project outcomes, identifying competitive and selective procurement as the most common methods in failed projects. Additionally, it explores political interference, inadequate budgeting, and poor contractor selection as key factors contributing to these failures. This research adopts a quantitative approach, analyzing federal government projects in Nigeria's education, science and technology, and agricultural ministries from 2016 to 2023. By examining data on uncompleted projects, it identifies trends, and the recurring issues associated with each procurement method. The study aims to provide insights into the procurement types predominantly linked to failures, with recommendations for improving project completion rates through a more rigorous application of procurement standards, transparency measures, and accountability mechanisms. This research contributes to policy discussions on enhancing public procurement in Nigeria to foster sustainable development and efficient public service delivery.