The Federal Ministry of Education says it has unveiled a new digital platform designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in procurement across Nigeria’s education sector.
The platform, called the Procurement Compliance Monitoring System (PICOMS), aims to streamline procurement processes for the ministry, its parastatals, and tertiary institutions, was announced by Maruf Olatunji Alausa, the Minister of Education.
The minister who announced this during a capacity-building session for procurement officers held at the National Universities Commission Auditorium in Abuja, noted that delays in procurement had hindered the timely implementation of key education projects.
“Delays in procurement processes,” Alausa said, “have slowed the implementation of key education projects due to incomplete documentation, weak submissions, and procedural lapses.”
To address these challenges, the ministry has deployed PICOMS as an electronic system that manages procurement activities, tracks submissions in real time, and reduces approval timelines. The platform is expected to cover all ministry-affiliated institutions and agencies, providing a centralised mechanism to monitor procurement compliance.
Speaking at the session, Adebowale Adebukola, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), highlighted recurring issues with procurement documentation and emphasised the importance of strengthening internal controls.
The launch of PICOMS is part of a broader government initiative to digitise procurement processes across ministries, departments, and agencies. Digital platforms are expected to reduce manual errors, improve oversight, and ensure adherence to procurement regulations.
In Nigeria, government procurement is regulated by the Public Procurement Act under the oversight of the BPP. Institutions are required to document procurement activities, obtain approvals such as “No Objection” certificates, and comply with due process when executing public projects. The introduction of digital systems like PICOMS represents a significant step toward enhancing transparency, speeding up project implementation, and ensuring compliance across the public sector.
By leveraging technology, the Federal Ministry of Education says it aims to modernise procurement, reduce bureaucratic delays, and strengthen accountability in the country’s education sector.
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