INEC procurement reforms deliver ₦1.1tn savings as Nigeria prepares for 2027 elections, focusing on transparency and efficiency

Nigeria’s electoral system has recorded savings exceeding ₦1.1 trillion from procurement reforms, as the Independent National Electoral Commission intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections with a focus on transparency and accountability.

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The disclosure was made during a high-level capacity-building workshop for National Electoral Commissioners and senior management staff in Lagos, where stakeholders identified procurement as a critical pillar of credible elections.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Adebowale Adekunle, described procurement as the “hidden engine of electoral integrity,” revealing that the INEC procurement reforms had yielded significant cost savings through improved price intelligence.

He added that more than 2,700 procurement professionals had been certified to strengthen institutional capacity, stressing that even minor lapses in procurement could undermine public trust in the electoral process.

“Every election is a test not only of the electoral body but of the systems that support it,” he said.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, said the commission is repositioning its operational framework to ensure that elections are not only credible but supported by strong institutional systems.

“My primary mandate is to ensure that the electoral architecture of Nigeria is not just robust in theory but strong in practice,” he said, warning that compromised procurement could become “the fault line through which trust collapses.”

Amupitan noted that the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, which shortens the election notice period from 360 to 300 days, requires faster and more efficient procurement and logistics systems.

Under the revised timetable, presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls will follow on February 6, 2027.

Stakeholders at the workshop raised concerns over procurement risks, including over-reliance on single vendors and disruptions in global supply chains, which could affect the timely delivery of electoral materials.

“A resilient democracy must never outsource its sovereignty,” Adekunle cautioned, urging diversification of suppliers and stronger oversight mechanisms.

The workshop, supported by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and restore public confidence ahead of the 2027 elections.

Participants were encouraged to adopt early procurement planning and deploy digital systems to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability across the electoral value chain.

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The reforms are seen as a crucial step towards delivering credible elections, as INEC seeks to reinforce trust in Nigeria’s democratic process through robust and accountable systems.