In a bid to bolster the involvement of Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs in public procurement, the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, in collaboration with the European Union Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, ROLAC, programme, held a one-day workshop to educate SMEs on procurement processes and procedures.
The event aimed to equip SMEs with essential knowledge and skills to leverage procurement opportunities in Lagos State.
Addressing the participants, the Director-General of the Agency, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, underscored the crucial role SMEs play in the socio-economic development of Lagos State and Nigeria. He stressed the importance of these enterprises understanding and complying with public procurement guidelines to fully benefit from the available opportunities.
Mr. Onafowote pointed out that many SMEs lack sufficient knowledge of the procurement process, leading to their reluctance to participate. Despite efforts by the state government and the Agency to promote these processes, many SMEs remain disengaged.
To tackle this issue, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has made significant strides to empower SMEs, including reducing the cost of registration and renewal for certain service providers to as low as 10,000 Naira and simplifying the registration requirements.
The workshop was designed to address these knowledge gaps and encourage more SMEs to engage in public procurement. Mr. Onafowote expressed optimism that the participants would use this opportunity to improve their digital skills, crucial for adapting to the technological innovations in the state’s procurement system.
He commended the European Union Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption ROLAC, programme for partnering with the Agency, noting that ROLAC has been a valuable ally in enhancing public procurement in Lagos State. He also thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his steadfast support of the Agency’s initiatives.
The Lagos State Coordinator of ROLAC, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa highlighted the workshop’s goal of providing SMEs with practical knowledge and skills for effective participation in public procurement processes.
She emphasized the importance of understanding the regulatory framework, which would help SMEs navigate registration and renewal processes, prepare bids effectively, and comply with standards, thereby improving the credibility and competitiveness of the state’s procurement system.
The workshop, held at Sheraton Hotels in Ikeja, Lagos, saw active participation from SME operators, both physically and virtually, marking a significant step towards more inclusive and effective public procurement in Lagos State.
