Kano Pioneers Digital Procurement as DMCSA Opens 2026–2027 Tender Evaluation Workshop

By Margaret Titus

The Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) has commenced its 2026–2027 Annual E-Tender Evaluation Workshop, a five-day exercise designed to strengthen the state’s health commodity procurement system and ensure the availability of quality, affordable and effective medicines across Kano State.

The workshop, supported by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Lafiya Programme, is taking place at QuarterHouse Hotel, Kaduna.

Declaring the workshop open, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, who also chairs the exercise, said the essence of the tendering process is to ensure the consistent availability of quality, affordable and effective drugs and medical consumables for the teeming population of Kano State.

The Commissioner commended the management of DMCSA, under the leadership of its Director General, Pharm. Gali Sule, for introducing the electronic tendering system, describing it as a pioneering innovation in the country’s public-sector pharmaceutical procurement landscape.

He noted that the adoption of electronic tendering demonstrates the agency’s commitment to embracing modern procurement practices, improving operational efficiency and promoting transparency and accountability in the supply of essential medicines and healthcare commodities.

Dr. Yusuf further applauded the agency for sustaining the procurement ratio of 80 per cent through the regular tendering process and 20 per cent through emergency procurement, describing the approach as a commendable strategy for ensuring a more structured, transparent and reliable supply system.

He also expressed appreciation to development partners, particularly the UK Government’s FCDO Lafiya Programme, for their continued support to the Ministry of Health and DMCSA through various health-sector projects and programmes aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

In his welcome address, the Director General of DMCSA, Pharm. Gali Sule, described the introduction of electronic tendering as a significant institutional innovation that reflects the agency’s determination to modernise its procurement operations in line with global best practices.

He explained that Kano is pioneer state that adopted the electronic tendering system for public-sector pharmaceutical procurement in the country, noting that the initiative has attracted commendation from stakeholders across Nigeria.

According to the Director General, the electronic platform is expected to enhance transparency, efficiency, accessibility and accountability throughout the tendering process while reducing administrative bottlenecks associated with conventional procurement procedures.

Pharm. Sule emphasised that the agency remains committed to prioritising cost-effective drugs and medical consumables without compromising quality. He assured that all procured commodities would be sourced from reputable and approved suppliers and must meet the required quality standards and regulatory specifications.

He further disclosed that, in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), the agency introduced the signing of Declaration of Interest Forms during the previous year’s tender evaluation exercise as part of deliberate measures to strengthen transparency, prevent conflicts of interest and promote accountability in the procurement process.

The Director General added that the agency would continue to introduce innovative measures that enhance institutional integrity and ensure value for money in the procurement of essential medicines and healthcare commodities.

Also speaking, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Ministry of Health, Pharm. Kamilu Mudi Salisu, outlined the key objectives and expected outcomes of the five-day workshop.

He explained that the exercise would provide an overview of the performance of the 2025–2026 (11th) Annual Tendering Exercise, introduce participants to the newly implemented electronic tender bid submission and evaluation process, and pre-qualify bidders for the 2026–2027 Annual Tendering Exercise based on established standards and eligibility requirements.

Pharm. Salisu, who is also the Chairman of the State Sustainable Health Commodity Supply System Committee, further stated that the workshop would involve a comprehensive assessment of submitted tender documents to determine bidders’ compliance with stipulated requirements and applicable regulatory standards.

He added that the evaluation process would also facilitate the development of preliminary award recommendations for bidders who successfully meet the prescribed criteria.

The five-day exercise brings together relevant procurement and pharmaceutical professionals, technical experts and other stakeholders to ensure a thorough, transparent and objective assessment of participating bidders.

Through this initiative, DMCSA is reinforcing its commitment to strengthening Kano State’s health commodity supply chain, ensuring value for public resources and improving access to safe, effective, affordable and quality-assured medicines and medical consumables across healthcare facilities in the state.

The introduction of electronic tendering further underscores the agency’s resolve to embrace digital transformation, institutionalise procurement best practices and sustain public confidence in the management of the state’s pharmaceutical procurement system.

Dr. Abubakar Labaran Congratulates Prof. Hafizu for IAFoST Fellowship Conferment

By Margaret Titus

The Honourable Commissioner, Kano State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, felicitated with former Deputy Governor and current Pro-Chancellor of North West University, Kano,  Professor Hafiz Abubakar, for the conferment of the prestigious Fellowship of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST).

The Commissioner described the recognition as a well-deserved honour and a testament to Professor Hafiz Abubakar’s outstanding contributions, exceptional academic achievements, and remarkable commitment to the advancement of Food Science and Technology in Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.

“I wish to warmly congratulate Professor Hafiz Abubakar on his conferment with the prestigious Fellowship of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST).

“This distinguished honour, bestowed on the former Deputy Governor of Kano State and current Pro-Chancellor of North-West University, Kano, recognized his outstanding contributions to the advancement of Food Science and Technology.”

The prestigious fellowship was conferred on Professor Abubakar during the 23rd World Congress of the International Union of Food Science and Technology, held in Hong Kong from 25th to 29th October 2026, in recognition of his stellar record and enduring contributions to the development of Food Science and Technology.

Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf noted that the recognition is not only a personal achievement for Professor Hafiz Abubakar but also a moment of immense pride for Kano State and the nation in general , as it further highlighted the intellectual capacity, academic excellence, and global contributions of Nigerians to scientific advancement.

He particularly commended Professor Abubakar for his dedication to academic excellence, research, innovation, and human capital development, expressing confidence that this international recognition will further inspire younger generations of scholars and researchers to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to national and global development.

The Honourable Commissioner wished the awardee continued success and greater accomplishments in his academic, professional, and leadership endeavours, while praying that this remarkable achievement will open doors to even greater opportunities for service to humanity.

KSACA Moves to Harmonise Premarital Medical Certificate Procedures Across Kano State

By Maryam Umar

The Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA) has convened a one-day Stakeholder Roundtable Meeting on the Issuance and Dissemination of Premarital Medical Certificates to End-users Across Kano State, as part of efforts to establish a coordinated, accessible and standardized framework for the implementation of premarital medical certification across the state.

The meeting, chaired by the Director General of KSACA, Dr. Usman Bashir, brought together key stakeholders from public and private institutions to deliberate on the proposed framework, clarify institutional responsibilities and develop practical mechanisms for the effective issuance and dissemination of uniform premarital medical certificates across the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano State.

The engagement aimed to clarify the purpose and scope of premarital medical certificates, promote consistency in procedures and information provided to prospective users, and strengthen coordination among health, legal, religious and community stakeholders.

It also provided a platform for addressing critical issues relating to confidentiality, informed consent, respectful communication and referral pathways, while identifying practical arrangements to facilitate effective dissemination and implementation at the grassroots level.

Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Dr. Usman Bashir explained that the engagement was designed to foster a shared understanding among stakeholders through a comprehensive review of the proposed framework and clarification of the processes for issuing and disseminating premarital medical certificates.

According to him, the meeting would also enable participants to identify essential requirements by examining the legal, health, operational, cultural and community considerations associated with the implementation of the framework.

He further emphasized the importance of clearly defining institutional responsibilities, noting that effective implementation would require agreed roles and coordinated efforts among relevant ministries, departments, agencies, healthcare facilities and community structures.

The roundtable also underscored the need for a harmonized approach that promotes accessibility, consistency and appropriate information-sharing while safeguarding the privacy, dignity and rights of individuals seeking premarital medical certification.

Participants engaged in discussions on the proposed framework, institutional mandates and suitable implementation strategies to ensure that the issuance and dissemination of uniform premarital medical certificates are effectively coordinated across the state.

Those in attendance included representatives of relevant health agencies, healthcare facilities, the judiciary, regulatory bodies and other public and private institutions, alongside religious and community leaders.

Notable stakeholders represented at the meeting included the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Shari’ah Commission, the Hisbah Board and the Council of Ulama, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kano State chapter, among others, reflecting the importance of collaboration between government institutions, healthcare providers and community leadership in achieving effective implementation.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of stakeholder engagement in developing a practical and coordinated approach to premarital medical certification in Kano State, with emphasis on clearly defined procedures, institutional collaboration, responsible communication and accessibility across all 44 Local Government Areas.

Through the initiative, KSACA seeks to strengthen coordination among relevant stakeholders and support the establishment of a consistent framework for the issuance and dissemination of premarital medical certificates throughout Kano State.

Kano DMCSA Moves to E-Tendering, Set to Digitise Procurement Exercise

...It convenes stakeholders, consultants to strengthen efficiency, transparency and access to affordable medicines

By Maryam Umar 

The Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) has commenced preparations to transition from its conventional manual tendering system to electronic tendering, as part of efforts to modernise procurement operations and strengthen the state’s health commodity supply chain.

The development was announced at a One-Day Procurement Planning Meeting of Relevant Stakeholders with Consultants for the 2027 12th DMCSA Tender, organised by the Agency with support from the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Lafiya Programme in Dutse, Jigawa State.

The meeting brought together relevant stakeholders and consultants to review the existing tendering process and deliberate on the implementation of the new electronic system. A major highlight was a practical demonstration by the ICT Consultant on how to use the proposed e-tendering platform for bid submission, processing, evaluation and documentation.

Declaring the meeting open, the Director General of DMCSA, Pharm. Gali Sule, said the transition to e-tendering was in line with international best practices and would improve efficiency, minimise errors and reduce the time required for procurement and bid evaluation.

“Digitising our procurement processes and operations has enormous advantages, including improving efficiency, minimising errors and saving time. With this new bidding process and evaluation, definitely, we are going to save a lot of time,” he said.

Pharm. Gali Sule noted that the initiative was part of the Agency’s broader efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain and sustain improvements in the availability and affordability of drugs across Kano State.

“We are working on this standard project to also add to these achievements so that every resident of Kano State can have access to qualitative and affordable medicines,” he added.

Earlier, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Kano State Ministry of Health and Chairman, State Sustainable Health Commodity Supply System Committee (SHCSS-C), Pharm. Kamilu Mudi Salisu, described the meeting as crucial to the success of the forthcoming tender exercise.

He said the 2027 tender would introduce a significant improvement over the manual process used by the Agency since 2012, noting that e-tendering would reduce time, cost and workload, particularly during bid evaluation, while improving documentation and efficiency.

Pharm. Kamilu commended the FCDO Lafiya Programme and other development partners for supporting efforts to strengthen the state’s procurement and health commodity supply systems.

At the end of the meeting, stakeholders agreed on key next steps, including hands-on training for relevant DMCSA staff on e-tendering, sensitisation of health commodity suppliers on the new process, and a tripartite meeting involving the ICT Consultant, Logistics Consultant and DMCSA officials.

The transition to e-tendering marks another step in DMCSA’s efforts to modernise its operations and build a more efficient, transparent and sustainable procurement system for improved access to quality and affordable medicines and medical consumables in Kano State.

Kano Assembly, Health Sector Leadership Brainstorm on Amended DMCSA Bill

By Frank Pinicop 

Members of the Kano State House of Assembly, alongside top officials of the State Ministry of Health and its agencies, have brainstormed on the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) Amendment Bill as part of a 3-Day Validation Workshop on the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board (KSPHCMB), DMCSA and Health Training Institutions Amendment Bills.

The key stakeholders converged at the workshop, currently taking place in Kaduna, to provide a structured platform for meaningful engagement and deliberations on the Bills currently before the Kano State House of Assembly. The workshop seeks, among other objectives, to promote a common understanding of the policy objectives underpinning each Bill, as well as identify ambiguities, inconsistencies, omissions and potential conflicts that may require further clarification or amendment.

Speaking during the opening session, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Isma'il Falgore, said the present administration, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has continued to accord priority to the health sector.

The Speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammad Bello Butu-butu, stressed that members of the State House of Assembly are working tirelessly to discharge their legislative responsibilities and accelerate development across the State.

He assured the participants and the people of Kano State that the House of Assembly would continue to support the State Ministry of Health and other sectors through rigorous, strategic and responsive legislative interventions.

Rt. Hon. Falgore also commended development partners, including the UK Government’s FCDO-Lafiya Programme, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Sanitas Health and Development Foundation (SANHDEF), and other development partners, for their continued support to the State Government in various capacities.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said the review of the Bills had become necessary because the existing establishing laws had become outdated in view of the evolving and dynamic nature of global health practices and the changing demands of the health sector.

On the Health Training Institutions Amendment Bills, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf explained that the review would strengthen the health sector by simplifying admission processes, increasing the number of students graduating from health training institutions, and enhancing the quality of education and training provided.

The Commissioner expressed appreciation to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to ensuring a thorough review and analysis of the Amendment Bills before their transmission to the State House of Assembly for further legislative scrutiny and eventual passage.

He also commended the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, and members of the Committee for their prompt response and commitment to thoroughly scrutinizing the Bills ahead of their consideration and passage.

Speaking on the exercise, the Director General of the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, Pharm. Gali Sule, emphasized the importance of reviewing and updating the Agency’s establishing law to ensure that its legal framework remains responsive to the evolving demands of healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical supply chain management in Kano State.

According to him, the review of the DMCSA Bill is aimed at strengthening the Agency’s legal and institutional framework, clarifying its mandate and responsibilities, and ensuring that its operations are aligned with current realities and best practices in the health sector.

He noted that the proposed amendments would further enhance the Agency’s capacity to effectively coordinate the procurement, storage, quality assurance, distribution and management of drugs and medical consumables across the State, while promoting greater efficiency, accountability, transparency and sustainability.

“Reviewing and updating the DMCSA law would provide a stronger foundation for institutional reforms, improved supply chain systems, effective collaboration with stakeholders, and better responsiveness to the pharmaceutical and medical consumables needs of public health facilities,” the DG stressed.

“The validation of the amended Bill is a critical step towards ensuring that the legislation reflects the current operational realities of DMCSA and provides the Agency with the appropriate legal backing to effectively deliver on its mandate,” he added.

PHARMACIST GALI SULE/ABBA GIDA-GIDA SUPPORT GROUP TA SHA ALWASHIN YIN AIKI TUKURU DON SAMUN NASARAR APC A ZABEN 2027

Daga Wakilinmu

Kungiyar Pharmacist Gali Sule/Abba Gida-Gida Support Group ta sha alwashin yin aiki ba dare ba rana domin ganin jam’iyyar APC ta samu gagarumar nasara a zabukan kasa na shekarar 2027.

Darakta Janar na Hukumar Samar da Magunguna da Kayan Aikin Asibiti ta Jihar Kano (DMCSA), Pharm. Gali Sule, ya bayyana haka ne a lokacin da ya jagoranci shugabannin kungiyar don kai wa Dan Majalisar Wakilai mai wakiltar Karamar Hukumar Nassarawa, Hon. Hassan Hussain, ziyara a ofishinsa.

Da yake jawabi, Pharm. Gali Sule, wanda shi ne uba kuma jagoran kungiyar, ya bayyana cewa sun kai ziyarar ne domin karfafa alaka da kuma tattauna hanyoyin da za a bi wajen yin aiki tare, domin tabbatar da hadin kai da nasarar jam’iyyar APC da daukacin ‘yan takararta a zaben 2027.

Ya ce wannan ya hada da kokarin ganin jam’iyyar ta samu nasara tun daga matakin Shugaban Kasa, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu da mataimakinsa Alhaji Kashim Shetima, zuwa Gwamnan Jihar Kano, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf da mataimakinsa Hon. Murtala Sule Garo, da ‘yan majalisun dattawa, wakilai da na jiha baki daya.

Da yake nasa jawabin, Dan Majalisar Wakilai mai wakiltar Karamar Hukumar Nassarawa, Hon. Hassan Hussain, ya bayyana matukar farin cikinsa da wannan ziyara, yana mai yabawa Pharm. Gali Sule da shugabannin kungiyar bisa wannan muhimmiyar girmamawa da suka nuna masa.

Hon. Hassan Hussain ya kuma jinjina wa Pharm. Gali Sule bisa dimbin nasarorin da ya samu a Hukumar DMCSA cikin shekaru uku da suka gabata. Ya bayyana cewa irin jajircewa da sadaukarwar da Pharm. Gali Sule ke nunawa wajen gudanar da ayyukansa abin a yaba ne, yana mai cewa da irin wannan jajircewa ta yawaita a tsakanin masu rike da madafun iko, da an samu ci gaba mai yawa fiye da wanda aka samu a halin yanzu.

Ya tabbatar wa shugabannin kungiyar da cikakken goyon baya da hadin kai wajen kokarin tabbatar da nasarar jam’iyyar APC daga sama har kasa a zaben shekarar 2027.

Shi ma da yake tofa albarkacin bakinsa, Shugaban Kungiyar Pharmacist Gali Sule/Abba Gida-Gida Support Group, Alhaji Iliyasu Idris Dantiye, ya bayyana aniyar kungiyar ta yin aiki kafada-da-kafada da sauran kungiyoyin magoya baya domin tabbatar da nasarar jam’iyyar APC a Jihar Kano da kasa baki daya.

Alhaji Dantiye ya bayyana cewa kungiyar tana da mambobi daga kananan hukumomi 44 na Jihar Kano, wadanda suka hada da jajirtattun matasa maza da mata, da kuma gogaggun ma’aikata da suka yi ritaya. Ya kara da cewa kungiyar tana da rajista da jam’iyyar APC.

Daga karshe, Shugaban kungiyar ya gode wa Hon. Hassan Hussain bisa kyakkyawar tarbar da ya yi wa shugabannin kungiyar, tare da yaba masa bisa goyon baya da hadin kan da yake bai wa kungiyar.

Kano DMCSA, C4SD Hold Three-Day Capacity-Building Workshop for Warehouse and Unskilled Staff

By Margaret Titus 

The Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), in collaboration with Capacity 4 Sustainable Development (C4SD), has organized a three-day capacity-building workshop for her warehouse and other technical staff on “Strengthening Warehouse Operations, and Inventory Integrity.”

The workshop, which further included a one-day training for unskilled staff on ‘Roles, Responsibilities and Standard work ethics’, was designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of warehouse personnel while strengthening operational efficiency, inventory management, accountability, and traceability across the Agency’s warehouse operations, as well as better knowledge of job roles.

Declaring the workshop open, the Director General of DMCSA, Pharm. Gali Sule, emphasised the importance of regular capacity-building programmes, noting that regulatory bodies consider continuous staff training and development as a core requirement when assessing Drug Management Agencies (DMAs) across the country.

He, therefore, urged the organisers and participants to ensure that the training was properly documented as evidence of the Agency’s commitment to continuous professional development and improved warehouse operations.

Pharm. Sule further charged participants to actively engage in the training and, more importantly, apply the knowledge and skills acquired to their daily responsibilities in order to improve efficiency and service delivery.

In her welcome address, the Director Admin and General Services, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Magashi, urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to acquire new knowledge, participate actively in the sessions, and seek clarification whenever they encounter areas they need more clarification. She expressed appreciation to C4SD for their support and contribution towards strengthening the capacity of DMCSA work force.

Also speaking, the Director of Drugs and Supply, Pharm. Salisu Hashim Muhammad, affirmed the workshop would enhance visibility, strengthen service-delivery efficiency, promote accountability, and improve job satisfaction among warehouse personnel. He expressed delight and commended C4SD for the initiative, describing it as timely and will be impactful to DMCSA staff.

In his submission, the Kano State Lead of C4SD, Pharm. Amos, disclosed that the training was organised following a capacity gap needs assessment conducted for DMCSA staff. He explained that the findings of the assessment informed the development of the training modules, ensuring that the sessions addressed identified capacity gaps and operational needs.

Delivering the closing remarks, the Technical Adviser to DMCSA, Pharm. Tukur Ibrahim, emphasised the importance of capacity-building workshops . Citing himself as an example, he noted that he had gained valuable knowledge from the day’s session, underscoring the practical benefits of the training to participants.

The first-day module focused on the Warehousing Domain, covering key areas such as Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Tracking, Inventory Management, and Batch Management and Traceability.

The sessions featured presentations and practical exercises, including “Introduction and Overview of Warehousing,” delivered by Pharm. Salisu Hashim Muhammad, and “KPI Tracking,” facilitated by Peter Albert and Olakunle Adekinya of the Kaizen Institute. The resource persons also conducted practical exercises to enable participants apply the concepts, techniques, and tools discussed during the sessions.

The second-day module, however, focused on Inventory Management, Batch Management and Traceability, Warehouse Hands-on Practical, and Endline Knowledge Assessment.

The third-day session was facilitated by Nasiru Muhammad of C4SD, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on the roles, responsibilities, dos and don’ts of unskilled employees, including pickers, drivers, loaders, messengers and cleaners.

The three-day workshop concluded with action plan development and identifying key steps for the way forward, aimed at ensuring that the knowledge and skills acquired are effectively translated into improved warehouse operations and inventory integrity.