Lagos: The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adedokun Adebowale, has urged procurement officers to strictly adhere to rules to drive reforms and national development. Adebowale made the call while presenting a paper titled ‘Transforming Public Procurement Systems through Reforms and Innovations for Sustainable Development: A Strategic Playbook’ at the third capacity-building event of the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria held in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adebowale emphasised that procurement officers should lead by example, warning that failure to follow established regulations weakened the system and undermined public trust. Adebowale reiterated that public procurement is the largest component of government expenditure and a key driver of national development outcomes. He noted that every procurement decision either strengthened public trust through quality delivery or eroded confidence through compromised processes.
He highlighted the need for Nigeria to transition from a legacy system focused on paperwork and narrow compliance to one centred on service delivery, innovation, and measurable impact. Adebowale outlined seven pillars for a sustainable procurement system, including transparency, integrity, competition, efficiency, digital transformation, professional capacity, and accountability.
Adebowale stated that transparency through open contracting and public disclosure would reduce corruption and improve trust in government processes. He stressed integrity, urging practitioners to avoid conflicts of interest and uphold ethical standards in all procurement activities. The director-general reported that improved efficiency had led to savings of about N1.1 trillion within 11 months, attributing the gains to strengthened oversight, price intelligence mechanisms, and direct access to leadership.
He underscored the importance of digital transformation, noting increased adoption of electronic submission platforms and plans for a full e-procurement system. Adebowale mentioned that classification of contractors based on competence would eliminate manipulation and ensure only qualified firms handled specific projects. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors, urging private sector players to train their staff in public procurement processes and align with national reform objectives.
Adebowale advocated for localisation policies, including prioritising Nigerian-made goods and services to boost domestic industries and employment. He proposed that affirmative procurement would allocate 30 per cent of contracts to vulnerable groups, including women, youths, and persons with disabilities. He also called for community-based procurement to enable local participation in projects across the country’s 774 local government areas.
He stressed the need for stronger oversight and early detection mechanisms, including publication of procurement data and regular audits, and noted that enforcement would involve collaboration with anti-corruption agencies to investigate and prosecute infractions. Adebowale urged procurement officers to embrace continuous learning, ethical conduct, and professionalism, asserting that a strong procurement system would enhance economic growth, reduce poverty, attract investment, and promote fairness across society.
Also presenting, the Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Fatai Onafowote, called for stronger procurement systems to drive sustainable development. Onafowote urged practitioners to uphold professionalism and embrace transparency, accountability, and value for money, describing procurement as a strategic process that supports government service delivery and influences economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
Onafowote emphasised the need for digital transformation through e-procurement to improve efficiency and reduce corruption. He advocated support for local industries, SMEs, and vulnerable groups through inclusive and competitive procurement practices. The director-general highlighted Lagos State’s progress in e-procurement and environmental sustainability initiatives, stating that a strong procurement system would boost economic growth, promote inclusion, and improve citizens’ quality of life.