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.
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