Abuja: The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and Yakubu Gowon University have announced plans to establish an International Centre for Procurement, Governance, Integrity and Assurance. The Director-General of BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, stated this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. Adedokun highlighted that the proposed centre aims to position Nigeria as a leading hub for procurement expertise within the Economic Community of West African States region and beyond.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the collaboration was formalised when the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the school, Olanrewaju Tejuosho, led a delegation to visit Adedokun in Abuja. The initiative is considered a significant step toward strengthening governance and professionalising procurement practices in Nigeria. The university, located at the seat of power, is viewed as a strategic institution for advancing knowledge and policy development.
Adedokun mentioned that the centre would provide research, real-time data analytics, and policy support for government programmes. The initiative is expected to support national reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda and aligns with the Bureau’s mandate under the Public Procurement Act 2007. The Act empowers the Bureau to promote capacity building, professional development, and ethical standards in public procurement.
International technical support is already being mobilised to support the establishment of the centre. Adedokun noted that the facility would attract policymakers, ministers, and executives from across Africa and other parts of the world. The centre is designed to enable leaders to learn, unlearn, and relearn global best practices in procurement governance.
Furthermore, Adedokun announced that the Bureau would host an international seminar at the university in April, serving as a precursor to the official launch of the centre’s activities. He emphasised that the facility must meet global standards comparable to leading international institutions. Plans are underway for the Bureau to visit the university to inspect temporary facilities and finalise implementation arrangements.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor expressed strong support for the initiative and commended the Bureau for the partnership. Tejuosho noted that many public officials faced legal consequences due to inadequate knowledge of procurement procedures. Access to specialised training is expected to strengthen oversight and improve accountability in public service. Tejuosho disclosed that the university had already identified a take-off location and developed structural plans for the institute. The Vice-Chancellor, Hakeem Fawehinmi, pledged the university’s commitment to ensuring the success of the partnership.