VALUE FOR MONEY IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT: AN INTEGRATED DIGITAL APPROACH FOR MODERNIZING NIGERIA’S PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCESSES
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Building Information Modelling, E-Procurement, Digital Transformation, Public ProcurementAbstract
Achieving value for money in Nigeria’s public procurement, requires a fundamental shift from traditional, paper-based practices toward an integrated digital framework. This paper explores the modernization of Nigeria’s public procurement through the adoption of a "tripartite" of state- of-the-art technologies essential for improving efficiency, transparency, and strategic value delivery: Electronic Procurement (E-procurement), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). E-procurement offers a secure, digital environment that streamlines tendering, reduces administrative costs, and minimizes opportunities for bias or corruption. BIM has the potential to provide a collaborative, lifecycle-oriented methodology that enhances resource efficiency, coordination, and data-rich decision-making in construction project procurement. Artificial Intelligence can facilitate advanced analytics, automated contract management, and intelligent supplier sourcing, enabling procurement professionals to make data- driven decisions while optimizing operational performance. The paper submits that while these innovations present a clear pathway to achieving value for money via a more transparent and outcome-driven system, the transition is not without challenges. Successful implementation requires overcoming institutional barriers, such as cultural inertia, the need for specialized workforce training, and the establishment of a robust legal and technological infrastructure. Ultimately, the study submits that achieving value for money via digital transformation, is not merely a technical adjustment but a strategic imperative that positions public procurement as a vital tool for achieving Nigeria’s broader economic and policy objectives.
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