Contract Management and Value for Money in Lagos State Public Procurement

This study assesses the relationship between contract management practices and value for money (VfM) outcomes in public procurement in Lagos State, Nigeria's commercial capital in the South West geopolitical zone. The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA) has been at the forefront of procurement reforms in sub-national Nigeria, yet questions persist about whether competitive tendering and contract oversight are consistently delivering optimal value in government expenditure. A professional survey design is employed, with data collected from 175 procurement officers, contractors, project managers, and finance officials across five state infrastructure agencies. Quantitative data are analysed using regression analysis while documentary reviews of contracts from 2021 to 2024 supply secondary evidence. The Value for Money Framework, which evaluates economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of public expenditure, provides the conceptual foundation. Findings reveal that while competitive tendering has increased, post-award contract supervision remains weak, with most government project managers lacking formal contract management training. Scope creep, unapproved contract variations, and certification of uncompleted works are frequent in infrastructure contracts. The study recommends mandatory certification in contract management for government project officers, introduction of project performance bonds, and the deployment of digital contract monitoring dashboards accessible to both agencies and civil society. Keywords: contract management, value for money, public procurement, Lagos State, infrastructure.