Inventory Control Practices and Supply Chain Efficiency in Bauchi State Government Stationery Stores

This study evaluates inventory control practices and their contribution to supply chain efficiency in Bauchi State Government stationery stores, within Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Effective management of office supplies and stationery stocks is a foundational aspect of administrative operations in government offices, with poor inventory control contributing to procurement delays, wastage, and disruptions to official duties. Using a descriptive survey design, the study targets store officers, procurement officials, and administrative heads in six ministries that maintain centralised stationery stores. Data are collected through structured questionnaires and inventory audit checklists. The Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) Model and the Just-In-Time (JIT) supply management framework provide the theoretical grounding, with literature from 2020 to 2024 informing the contextual analysis. Specific dimensions evaluated include stock-taking frequency, procurement lead times, spoilage rates, and compliance with public procurement regulations. The study also investigates the influence of digital inventory tracking tools on overall supply chain performance. Recommendations are directed at the Bauchi State Ministry of Finance and the Bureau of Public Procurement. Keywords: inventory control, supply chain, stationery stores, Bauchi State, public procurement