Procurement Management and Project Delivery in Rural Electrification Projects in Niger State, North Central Nigeria

Rural electrification projects are critical to Nigeria's energy access agenda, yet delivery failures are frequently attributed to procurement inefficiencies that delay material supply and contractor engagement. This study examines the relationship between procurement management and project delivery in rural electrification projects in Niger State, North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey will recruit 160 Rural Electrification Agency (REA) officers, procurement staff, electrical contractors, and community representatives from 12 rural electrification projects across Borgu, Chanchaga, and Lavun local government areas. A structured questionnaire will assess procurement planning, supplier selection, contract administration, and delivery tracking mechanisms. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation will examine procurement practice-delivery outcome relationships. Niger State's vast rural geography creates unique logistics challenges that compound procurement weaknesses, and this study will contextualize procurement findings within those constraints. Recommendations will be directed at the REA, Niger State Rural Electrification Board, and the Federal Ministry of Power regarding procurement reform for off-grid project implementation. Keywords: procurement management, rural electrification, Niger State, project delivery, rural infrastructure