Abuja: The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has dismissed allegations circulating in parts of the media and on social platforms accusing its leadership of corruption and monetisation of Certificates of No Objection.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this response was articulated by Zira Nagga, BPP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, in a statement from Abuja. Nagga described the allegations as false and malicious, aimed at misleading the public and undermining the integrity of the agency. He emphasized that neither the Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, his Chief of Staff, Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa, nor any senior official had engaged in corruption, financial misconduct, or abuse of office. The BPP operates under the guidelines of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, with transparent and digitally monitored systems that make such allegations baseless.
Nagga noted that recent reforms by the bureau, including tighter procurement reviews, enforcement of due process, blocking of leakages, and benchmarking of inflated contract prices, have saved government funds and disrupted entrenched interests. These measures have led to the exit of personnel unable to adapt to the new reforms. He suggested that beneficiaries of the previously compromised system might resort to blackmail and sponsored media narratives to smear the bureau’s leadership.
Several reforms were highlighted by Nagga, including affirmative procurement, the creation of a Price Intelligence Unit, Procurement Surveillance and Audit Units, and a Monitoring and Evaluation Unit. He mentioned advancements in the implementation of the Nigeria First Policy and the increased participation of small and medium-scale enterprises in public procurement. The bureau has also strengthened contractor classification and categorisation, set to become fully operational in January 2026, ensuring contractors undertake projects in line with their capacities.
Nagga stated that the BPP welcomes any investigation by relevant authorities and is prepared to provide all necessary documents and records, emphasizing that official transactions are audited, transparent, and traceable. He urged the public to disregard sensational reports and called on media organisations to verify information before publication to maintain public trust. He reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to transparency and professionalism in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, stating that no amount of blackmail will deter the bureau from strengthening the procurement system and upholding financial integrity.