At a time when Nigeria is seeking to build a more competitive and digitally driven economy, a startling revelation has emerged at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
About 57 per cent of technology products procured by government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and corporate organisations in Nigeria are refurbished products that are procured and presented as brand new, largely because of a failure to respect the genuine local partnership structures established by foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
The practice, according to the observation, 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 titled, “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 covered technology distribution, digital infrastructure, e-commerce and enterprise solutions, giving him a unique perspective 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.
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