Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on procurement professionals to support the government’s efforts in positioning Lagos not only as a trade hub but also as a model of trust, transparency, and transformation.
The Governor made the call in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, at a symposium organised by CIPS Nigeria, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja.
Describing procurement and supply as “critical arteries” of the supply chain system, Sanwo-Olu pointed to major infrastructure projects such as the Lekki Deep Seaport as evidence of the State’s commitment to smart logistics and transparent procurement processes.
“Lagos accounts for over 60% of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activities. Our State is not just a hub for ambition and opportunity but a place where innovation is tested and supply chains are built daily,” the Governor said.
He highlighted ongoing reforms, including the development of a dedicated Procurement Officers cadre within the Lagos State Public Service, aimed at strengthening accountability and ensuring value for money in public procurement.
“Our administration is committed to the continuous capacity building and professional development of Procurement Officers to entrench good governance in Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu added.
The Governor also commended CIPS for promoting professionalism and ethical standards in procurement and supply chain management across the globe.
He emphasised the importance of institutions like CIPS in building a sustainable, future-ready procurement system, urging professionals to uphold ethics and expertise in supporting Lagos’ leadership in trade and public administration across West Africa.
The symposium featured a presentation by the Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr Fatai Idowu Onafowote, who reaffirmed the State’s commitment to strategic procurement as a tool to attract investment and enhance urban development.
He noted that the State is executing large-scale infrastructure projects to improve liveability and ease urban congestion.
In his response, CIPS Chief Executive Officer Ben Farrell praised the Lagos State Government for its dedication to transparency and good governance.
He described Lagos as a dynamic commercial centre and a leading investment destination in Africa, expressing CIPS’ readiness to support capacity building and skills development for procurement professionals.
Other attendees included Bola Adeniran, Director of Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance at the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency; Sam Achampong, CIPS Director for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific; Ekene Odimegwu, Education Liaison Officer, CIPS Nigeria; and Omotunde Oyedeji, Vice-Chairman, CIPS Nigeria.
