At a time when Nigeria is seeking to build a more competitive, digitally driven economy, a startling revelation emerged at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
About 57% of technology products procured by government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and corporate organisations in Nigeria are refurbished products procured and presented as brand new because of a failure to respect the genuine local partnership structures established by foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This practice is fraudulent and calls for appropriate sanctions against firms found culpable.
Forbes leading tech icon and founder of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, made the observation during the session, “E-Commerce and Procurement: Transforming Public Contracting through Digital Systems, Transparency and Local Capacity Development,” held under the conference theme, “Beyond Limits.”
Ekeh’s perspective is shaped by more than four decades of partnering with leading global technology OEMs, including HP, IBM, Dell, Cisco and Microsoft, while building indigenous technology capacity in Nigeria and across Africa.
Through Zinox Technologies, he pioneered Nigeria’s first internationally certified computer manufacturing facility and delivered technology solutions for critical national projects, including Nigeria’s digital voter registration exercise and major ICT infrastructure deployments across Africa. His broader entrepreneurial journey has also spanned technology distribution, digital infrastructure, e-commerce and enterprise solutions, giving him a unique vantage point on Nigeria’s relationship with technology, homegrown capacity and global brands.
As a strong advocate for indigenous innovation, Ekeh has consistently demonstrated that Nigerian technology companies can develop, deploy and support solutions capable of meeting complex national needs while competing at international standards.
His concern centres on Nigeria’s longstanding preference for foreign technology products, even as many Nigerians send their children to some of the world’s best educational institutions. In the pursuit of foreign brands, organisations may end up purchasing refurbished equipment presented as new, while indigenous technology companies with the capacity to provide quality solutions receive limited consideration.
The issue, therefore, goes beyond brand preference. It raises important questions about procurement verification, transparency and value for money. For government, where technology procurement supports critical public infrastructure and services, ensuring that products are authentic and fit for purpose is particularly important.
Ekeh consequently advocated stronger implementation of the Nigeria First Policy, with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies giving world-class indigenous businesses and locally developed and certified solutions greater consideration while maintaining appropriate standards for quality and global competitiveness.
He also emphasised the importance of digital systems in improving procurement. E-procurement platforms, government cloud infrastructure, data protection safeguards and digital audit trails can make transactions more transparent, traceable and accountable. According to him, this is critical to Nigeria’s future, as no nation can claim to be truly independent without technological independence.
The conversation also highlighted the changing role of lawyers. As procurement becomes increasingly digital, legal practitioners must understand the technological, regulatory and compliance dimensions of public contracting while helping organisations manage procurement risks and disputes. Ekeh also stressed the growing importance of digital competence among lawyers in navigating an increasingly technology-driven economy.
Other speakers at the session included Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, who was the lead speaker; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, DG/CEO of NITDA; Fatai Idowu Onafowote, Director General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency; Engr. Sanusi Aminu Yero, Director General of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority; and Andrew Osemedua Odom, SAN. Dr. Faith Amarachi Okpara coordinated the session.
Ultimately, going “Beyond Limits” requires Nigeria to rethink how it defines value in technology procurement. Foreign origin should not automatically be equated with superior quality, just as local origin should not be viewed as a limitation.
A stronger procurement culture built around authenticity, transparency, innovation and value can protect public resources while creating room for Nigerian technology companies to grow, compete and contribute more meaningfully to the nation’s digital future.
