of Public Procurement Key Stakeholders
in Nigeria
SECOND EDITION
By Ishaya C. Kamale, Kalifa Y. Lawal and Prof Mustapha Abdulrazaq, PhD
Department of Quantity Surveying,
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Abstract
Despite growing global emphasis on sustainability, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators are yet to be fully integrated and assessed among key stakeholders in Nigeria’s public procurement system. This study appraised ESG indicators among key stakeholders involved in public procurement in Nigeria, focusing on contractors, procurement officers, and regulatory institutions. It underscores the critical need for comprehensive ESG integration into procurement practices—an area that has received limited attention in the Nigerian context. The research specifically targets stakeholders operating in compliance with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) guidelines and the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, emphasizing their roles in advancing sustainable public procurement. A quantitative research approach was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires to collect data from contractors. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, along with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to assess the extent of stakeholder involvement in ESG practices. A total of one hundred and forty-two (142) valid responses were analyzed. Findings reveal that key stakeholders demonstrate moderate level of involvement in promoting ESG principles, where the highest-rated involvement indicators were monitoring and evaluation while the lowest were incentives and availability of training The study recommends that Procuring entities should facilitate platforms for enhanced collaboration between themselves and contractors. The study also contributes to the discourse on sustainability in public procurement by offering insights into the role of stakeholders in institutionalizing ESG practices and identifies areas for policy and capacity development to foster sustainable procurement in Nigeria.
Keywords: Public Procurement, Environmental Practices, Social Responsibility, Governance, ESG Integration
1.0 Introduction
In recent years, countries around the world have increasingly prioritized the sustainable development of their economies and societies (Sianes et al., 2022; UNEP, 2022; Jayashree et al., 2021). This global emphasis is driven by the understanding that sustainable development is essential for ensuring long-term economic resilience, environmental protection, and social equity. One of the key tools being leveraged by governments to promote sustainability is sustainable public procurement—a strategic instrument capable of influencing corporate practices and advancing national sustainability agendas (Behravesh et al., 2022).
Globally, public procurement accounts for approximately 15–20% of gross domestic product (GDP) and is increasingly being used to promote Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives (OECD, 2021). Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) refers to standards that assess an organization’s sustainability and ethical impact. Environmental criteria evaluate how activities affect the planet; social criteria examine relationships with stakeholders; and governance focuses on accountability and transparency (UN Global Compact, 2021). In public procurement, integrating ESG ensures that government purchasing supports sustainable development by promoting environmental responsibility, social inclusion, and good governance (OECD, 2020). Developed economies such as the United Kingdom and members of the European Union have embedded ESG standards within their procurement systems. For instance, the UK’s Public Procurement Notice PPN06/20 mandates ESG compliance, while the EU’s Green Public Procurement (GPP) policy requires environmental sustainability to be factored into public purchasing decisions (European Commission, 2021). These international examples demonstrate how governments can use procurement policy to lead by example and incentivize sustainable business practices.
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Editor’s note: Second Editions are previously published papers that have continued relevance in today’s project management world, or which were originally published in conference proceedings or in a language other than English. Original publication acknowledged; authors retain copyright. This paper was originally presented at the 1st International Conference, The Quantity Surveyor’s Edge, Department of Quantity Surveying, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria, 25-26 June 2025. It is republished here with permission of the authors and conference organizers.
How to cite this paper: Kamale, I. C., Lawal, K. Y., Abdulrazaq, M. (2026). An Appraisal of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Indicators of Public Procurement Key Stakeholders in Nigeria; Originally presented at the 1st International Conference, The Quantity Surveyor’s Edge, Department of Quantity Surveying, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria, 25-26 June 2025; republished in the PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue VII, July, 2026. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/pmwj166-Jul2026-Kamale-et-al-ESG-Indicators-of-Public-Procurement-Stakeholders.pdf
About the Authors
Ishaya C. Kamale
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Ishaya Charles Kamale is a distinguished civil servant with the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Nigeria, where he has served since 2004. He is the Assistant Director procurement FCC, he holds a BSc. Statistics from the University of Maiduguri (1998), Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Business Administration from Mautec (2011), and a Master of Science (MSc) in Procurement Management from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2024). With over 15 years of experience in public and private procurement, he has been practicing procurement professionally, bringing extensive expertise to his role. He is also deeply engaged in academic research, focusing on procurement processes in Nigeria, and is passionate about contributing to the development of best practices in the field.
Kalifa Y. Lawal
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Khalifa Yahaya Lawal is a postgraduate student pursuing a Master of Science (MSc) in Procurement Management at Ahmadu Bello University, which he commenced in 2025. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Quantity Surveying from Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 2023. Khalifa has undertaken several professional development programs and holds multiple certificates in procurement, environmental studies, and social standards. He completed an advanced certificate in Procurement Standards at the Sustainable Procurement, Environment and Social Standards Enhancement Centre of Excellence (SPESSECE. He is committed to advancing knowledge and professional practice in procurement management and sustainable construction.
Mustafa Abdulrazaq, PhD
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Prof. Mustapha Abdulrazaq (MNIQS, RQS) is a Professor of Quantity Surveying at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with over 20 years of teaching experience. He began his career at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in 2003. He holds a PhD (2015), MSc (2008), and BSc (2001) in Quantity Surveying-related fields. He has served in key academic roles, including Acting Head and Postgraduate Coordinator, and has published widely on construction financial management. A member of NIQS and QSRBN, he has led accreditation teams and currently coordinates procurement research under the SPESSE Centre of Excellence at ABU.
