Publication Details
Abstract
The adoption of electronic procurement (e-procurement) systems has become increasingly important for improving transparency, efficiency, accountability, and compliance in public procurement. However, despite ongoing digital transformation initiatives in Nigeria, the level of e-procurement system adoption across Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the benefits and barriers associated with the adoption, remains insufficiently established. This study assessed the level of e-procurement system adoption in selected Nigerian Federal MDAs and analysed the benefits and barriers influencing adoption. This study focused on the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and Federal Ministry of Education. A quantitative research approach was adopted, data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to relevant personnel involved in procurement, information and communication technology, administration, and related functions within the selected Federal Ministries. A total of 264 valid questionnaires were returned and used for the analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, Pearson correlation, and linear regression. This study was theoretically informed by the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. The findings revealed that e-procurement adoption within the selected MDAs is currently low, with implementation still at initial stage. Although electronic tender advertisement and supplier registration have been widely adopted, critical procurement functions such as bidding (collection of tender documents, bid submission, bid evaluation) and contract management remain mostly paper based. This study identified benefits associated with e-procurement adoption, including improved transparency, accountability, greater procurement efficiency, improved record management, enhanced monitoring, and reduction in procurement-related delays. However, several barriers were identified, particularly inadequate ICT infrastructure, unreliable internet connectivity, insufficient funding, limited staff competence, resistance to organisational change, and information security concerns. Based on the findings, this study recommends sustained investment in ICT Infrastructure across Federal MDAs, establishment of dedicated e-procurement budget Lines, adoption of phased roll out of the system across MDAs and a PPP model for e-GP development, deployment and management to resolve funding and technical capacity problems. This study contributes to empirical evidence on e-procurement adoption within Nigerian Federal MDAs and provides a basis for improving the implementation and utilisation of digital public procurement systems in Nigeria.