Advancing Compliance in Nigeria's Public Procurement through Technology, Data Analytics and Regulatory Frameworks

Abstract

Public procurement in Nigeria is plagued by inefficiency, corruption, and weak enforcement despite the Public Procurement Act of 2007. This study assesses the integration of technology, the impact of data analytics on risk detection, and the role of regulatory agencies in advancing procurement compliance. Adopting a qualitative-descriptive research design, the study utilized a systematic review of literature and institutional reports alongside structured interviews with 50 procurement officers, employing statistical tests such as Pearson Correlation, Simple Linear Regression, and ANOVA for hypothesis testing. Findings reveal that while e-procurement tools exist, their integration is fragmented and often superficial, appearing as "half-built portals" lacking real-time integration. Statistical results confirm that bribery, bid rigging, and ghost contracting significantly undermine service delivery and budget efficiency. The study concludes that advancing compliance requires scaling digital systems, institutionalizing analytics-driven oversight, and strengthening the independence of regulatory bodies.