Abuja: The Federal Government has taken significant steps to enhance transparency, accountability, and professionalism within the public procurement system by approving the establishment of seven new zonal offices for the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this initiative was highlighted during a meeting between the World Bank-supported Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Implementation Mission and the BPP. The Head of Press and Public Relations at BPP, Zira Nagga, conveyed that the government aims to introduce sustainable procurement as a specialized recruitment area within the procurement cadre. This move is intended to provide a structured career pathway for graduates trained in procurement at the six SPESSE Centres of Excellence, including institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Lagos.
Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the BPP Director-General, emphasized that the initiative seeks to enable graduates to contribute effectively to ongoing public sector procurement reforms. The bureau is also working with stakeholders to develop a National Procurement Strategic Framework and amend the Public Procurement Act, 2007, as part of efforts to modernize procurement processes. President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of seven zonal offices to enhance the bureau’s reach and improve procurement oversight across the nation.
The BPP has made significant progress in its certification and professionalization efforts, with over 2,075 procurement officers verified and 816 certification results received. Mr. Ishtiak Siddique of the World Bank commended the BPP’s progress under the SPESSE program, especially in procurement certification and capacity-building endeavors. He outlined key areas for collaboration, such as standard tender documents, procurement sustainability retreats, electronic procurement implementation, and training support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Electronic procurement is identified as a crucial milestone for Nigeria to build a more transparent and efficient public procurement system. Siddique emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in procurement reforms. The meeting also reviewed progress on the National Procurement Officers Management System (NAPOMS), the Nigeria Public Procurement Certification Programme (NPPCP), and strategies to strengthen collaboration with key institutions, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
These developments highlight the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts, in partnership with the World Bank, to institutionalize procurement professionalism, enhance transparency, and align Nigeria’s procurement system with global best practices.