JCARM Journal of Contemporary Academic Research and Methodologies JCARM 3139-7247 Ivory and Finch Publishers 10.5281/zenodo.21350808 JCARM_JUN_26_092 Original Research Article Affirmative Procurement Policies and Public Administration Effectiveness in Emerging Economies: Evidence from Nigeria Christopher Ikhianosime Oboh, https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0164-1852 Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria chrisoboh01@gmail.com Fatima Jael Aliu, Procurement Directorate, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria Amina Osue, Department of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. Berenice Omoareyele Igbafe, Department of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. Noah Ogaganefe, Department of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. Danjuma Yakub Momoh, Department of Public Administration, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. 14 07 2026 1 5

The increasing demand for inclusive governance, institutional effectiveness and sustainable socio-economic development has intensified scholarly and policy interest in the strategic role of public procurement within public administration. In emerging economies, affirmative procurement policies have become important instruments for leveraging public expenditure to promote indigenous participation, economic inclusion and broader developmental outcomes. Despite the growing adoption of such policies in Nigeria, empirical evidence regarding their influence on public administration effectiveness remains limited. This study investigates the effect of affirmative procurement policies on public administration in Nigeria using a quantitative research approach grounded in Public Value Theory, Institutional Theory and the Resource-Based View. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 397 procurement officers, public administrators, contractors and policy stakeholders across selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Data were analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The findings reveal that preferential procurement policies, contract reservation schemes, local content requirements and supplier development programmes all exert significant positive effects on public administration effectiveness. Supplier development programmes emerged as the strongest predictor, while affirmative procurement policies collectively explained a substantial proportion of the variation in service delivery efficiency, transparency, accountability, institutional responsiveness and public value creation. The results demonstrate that affirmative procurement extends beyond its traditional economic function to serve as a strategic governance mechanism for strengthening institutional performance and enhancing public sector effectiveness. The study concludes that effective implementation of affirmative procurement policies can significantly improve governance outcomes while simultaneously advancing inclusive development objectives in emerging economies. The study therefore recommends stronger policy enforcement, expanded supplier development initiatives, enhanced local content implementation and improved monitoring mechanisms to maximise the administrative and developmental benefits of public procurement in Nigeria.

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