Abuja: Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating procurement fraud and strengthening transparency across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Adedokun made this declaration in a statement released by Zira Nagga, BPP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, during the maiden Procurement, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management International Industry Summit in Kaduna.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the summit, which runs from December 2 to 4 under the theme ‘Advancing Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Through Research, Certification and Industry Collaboration’, brought together officials, academics, industry experts, and professional bodies to strategize on strengthening the nation’s procurement system. Adedokun, represented by Nasir Bello, Director of the Civil Infrastructure Department at BPP, praised Kaduna State University and the state Public Procurement Authority for promoting value-for-money principles in public expenditure.
Adedokun highlighted several common forms of procurement fraud in Nigeria, such as bid rigging, collusion, inflated contracts, ghost projects, and document falsification. He emphasized the severe financial, social, and psychological consequences of these malpractices, which undermine citizens’ confidence in governance and hinder infrastructure development.
The Director-General detailed ongoing reforms aimed at improving compliance, enhancing price intelligence, and professionalizing the procurement workforce. He noted the introduction of digital monitoring tools, particularly the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO), which helped the Federal Government save over N173 billion between January and June. Additionally, mechanisms like the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants, and Service Providers, along with the institutionalization of the procurement cadre, were identified as essential for reducing discretion and improving accountability.
Adedokun explained the Bureau’s four-pillar approach to combating procurement fraud: regulatory strengthening and digitalization, capacity building and professional certification, collaboration and information sharing with agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC, and civic engagement with whistleblower protection. He emphasized the importance of the summit’s focus on research, certification, and collaboration in addressing procurement malpractice.
Concluding his remarks, Adedokun urged all stakeholders, including MDAs, professional bodies, the private sector, academia, and development partners, to maintain their commitment to transparency, ethical conduct, and evidence-based reforms.