As preparations ramp up for the 2027 General Election, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has positioned procurement reform as a core pillar of the Commission’s readiness for credible, transparent polls.
Speaking on Monday, at the opening of a three-day Capacity Building Workshop on Procurement for National Electoral Commissioners and INEC’s management team, Prof. Amupitan stressed the need for proactive leadership and alignment with global best practices.
The event, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel in Victoria Island and hosted with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), also featured the unveiling of the revised 2027 election timetable.
Declaring the workshop open on the Chairman’s behalf, National Commissioner Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu relayed his view that robust procurement systems are essential to sustaining public trust.
Procurement, Prof. Amupitan said, underpins the entire electoral value chain—from ballot papers and technology to logistics, training, and deployment. “When handled with integrity, it builds public confidence; when compromised, it erodes trust,” he noted, reflecting on his first 159 days in office as a period of reform consolidation.
He called for continuous, institutionalized capacity building, adding: “Our work goes beyond conducting elections—it’s about nurturing democracy.
“The Chairman highlighted the Electoral Act 2026’s amendment to Clause 28, shortening the election notice period from 360 to 300 days. “This demands efficiency, precision, and strict due process—no room for delays,” he said. Under the new timetable, Presidential and National Assembly elections are set for Saturday, January 16, 2027, with Governorship and State Assembly polls on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Early release, he explained, ensures clarity for parties, candidates, security agencies, and voters while allowing time for procurement and training.KAS Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Tobias Ruettershof, welcomed the focus on procurement, stating: “Credible elections start with transparent planning and logistics.”
In the keynote address, “Managing Procurement Risks in Sensitive Electoral Operations,” Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Director-General Dr. Adebowale A. Adeline urged adopting technology, diversifying suppliers, and bolstering controls to counter risks like supply chain disruptions. “Procurement done right strengthens democratic trust,” he said.
The workshop unites National Electoral Commissioners, directors, senior officials, development partners, and experts to build leadership capacity and best practices ahead of 2027.