Effective procurement is about more than securing goods and services—it is about building strong partnerships that deliver value, reliability, and positive outcomes for communities. On 18 June 2026, the Nasarawa State Drugs and Supplies Management Agency (NASDSMA) took an important step in advancing procurement excellence by hosting its first Supplier Performance Review Conference in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Pamela Muonemeh, our CIPS HPA representative, played a key role in supporting the initiative.
The conference marked a significant milestone in the Agency's journey towards strengthening supplier relationship management, promoting accountability, and driving continuous improvement across its supply chain.
Strengthening Strategic Supplier Relationships
As part of NASDSMA's commitment to enhancing procurement and supply chain performance, the conference brought together suppliers operating under the Agency's inaugural 2025/2026 Framework Agreements. The event created a valuable platform for engagement, collaboration, and performance assessment between NASDSMA and its strategic suppliers.
Supplier relationship management is increasingly recognised as a critical component of effective procurement practice. By establishing structured processes for supplier evaluation and engagement, organisations can improve service delivery, reduce supply chain risks, and create long-term value for stakeholders.
Key Areas of Focus
The review conference provided an opportunity to evaluate supplier performance against agreed expectations and discuss opportunities for improvement. Key objectives included:
- Assessing performance against established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Strengthening supplier relationships through open dialogue and collaboration
- Reinforcing accountability for quality, timeliness, and completeness of deliveries
- Promoting continuous improvement in supplier performance and service delivery
- Enhancing supply chain resilience through structured monitoring and evaluation
These discussions encouraged suppliers and agency representatives to work together in addressing operational challenges, sharing lessons learned, and identifying opportunities to improve performance.
Supporting Better Healthcare Delivery
A reliable supply chain is fundamental to healthcare service delivery. Suppliers play a critical role in ensuring that essential medicines, medical products, and health commodities remain available when and where they are needed.
During the conference, suppliers were reminded of their important contribution to achieving:
- Greater availability of essential health products
- Improved affordability of healthcare commodities
- Increased accessibility of medicines and supplies across Nasarawa State
- Progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
By fostering stronger partnerships and maintaining high performance standards, suppliers can directly contribute to improved health outcomes for communities throughout the state.
Leadership and Collaboration in Action
The success of the conference reflects the commitment of NASDSMA's leadership and team to embedding best practice procurement and supplier management principles.
Special recognition goes to Haruna Wakili, General Manager of NASDSMA, for his leadership and support in championing this important initiative.
We also acknowledge the dedication and active participation of the NASDSMA team, including:
- Adam Hayatudeen
- Hassana Mansur
- Yahaya Iliya
- Nmagbo Samuel
- Osuko Sadiq
- Adamu Bilya
- Elawani Peter
Their contributions helped create a constructive and collaborative environment that encouraged meaningful dialogue between the Agency and its suppliers.
Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Strong supplier relationships do not develop by chance. They are built through regular engagement, transparent communication, performance measurement, and mutual accountability.
NASDSMA's inaugural Supplier Performance Review Conference demonstrates how public sector organisations can take proactive steps to strengthen supply chains and achieve better outcomes through effective supplier relationship management.
As procurement professionals, we know that collaboration is the foundation of sustainable performance improvement. By investing in structured supplier engagement and performance reviews, organisations can create more resilient supply chains, drive operational excellence, and ultimately deliver greater value to the communities they serve.
At HPA, we are proud to support initiatives that strengthen procurement capability, promote best practice, and contribute to improved public health outcomes across Africa and beyond.
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