Procurement Strategy Selection and Contract Administration in Nigerian Public Construction Projects

Abstract

Effective procurement strategy selection is fundamental to successful project delivery in the public sector. This paper examines procurement strategy selection and contract administration practices in Nigerian public construction projects through a survey of 88 quantity surveyors and project managers. The study identifies that traditional lump-sum contracts dominate Nigerian public procurement despite evidence that design-build and framework agreements offer superior cost and time performance. Poor contract documentation, inadequate tender evaluation criteria, and politically influenced contractor selection are highlighted as systemic deficiencies. Recommendations include mandatory pre-qualification of contractors, use of multi-criteria evaluation models, and capacity building for procurement officers.