Effect of Transparency on Public Procurement Processes in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Abuja (Published)
This study examines the effect of transparency on procurement processes in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Abuja, Nigeria. Specifically, it assesses the effect of access to procurement information, clarity and simplicity of communication, and openness in decision-making on procurement efficiency. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed, and a census sampling approach was used, covering all 44 staff members in the procurement department of the ministry. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, with responses analyzed using descriptive statistics, and multiple regression analysis. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed using Cronbach’s Alpha, with all constructs scoring above 0.70, ensuring internal consistency. Findings revealed that access to procurement information had a significant positive effect on procurement processes (β = 0.431, t = 7.708, p = 0.000), demonstrating that improved access to procurement details enhances supplier participation and reduces bid manipulation. Clarity and simplicity of communication also had a significant effect (β = 0.322, t = 5.828, p = 0.001), indicating that transparent communication fosters trust and fairness in procurement transactions. Similarly, openness in decision-making positively influenced procurement processes (β = 0.431, t = 7.708, p = 0.000), reinforcing the notion that transparency in procurement decisions promotes integrity and compliance. The study therefore concludes that transparency has a significant positive effect on procurement processes in Federal Ministry of Agriculture Abuja. Based on the findings, the study recommends among others that procurement agencies should enhance access to procurement information through digital platforms, simplify procurement language to improve bidder comprehension, and establish independent oversight mechanisms to strengthen transparency in decision-making.
Keywords: Decision Making, Public Procurement, Transparency, access to information, procurement processes