Contractor Selection Criteria and Project Outcomes in State Government Contracts in Osun State, South West Nigeria

Contractor selection is one of the most consequential procurement decisions in public project management, with far-reaching implications for delivery quality and public resource utilization. This study examines contractor selection criteria and their relationship to project outcomes in Osun State government contracts. A cross-sectional survey will recruit 180 procurement officers, project supervisors, quantity surveyors, and contractors from the Osun State Bureau of Public Procurement and five ministries executing capital projects. A structured questionnaire will assess selection criteria applied, including technical capacity, financial standing, past performance, equipment availability, and price competitiveness. Project outcomes will be rated across cost, time, and quality dimensions. Multiple regression analysis will determine which selection criteria most strongly predict positive outcomes. Evidence from Nigerian state procurement practice highlights the influence of politically motivated contractor selection on project performance, undermining merit-based criteria. Findings will provide evidence for procurement reform advocacy and best-practice guidelines for Osun State's Bureau of Public Procurement. Keywords: contractor selection, procurement, Osun State, project outcomes, public procurement