Enugu: The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has highlighted the Federal Government’s affirmative procurement as a significant driver for increasing the participation of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in public sector contracting. Dr Adedokun Adebowale, the Director-General of the Bureau, made this known at the 6th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON), which took place at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, themed ‘Procurement Reforms in Nigeria: Evaluating Progress and Strengthening SMEs through Affirmative Procurement Policies,’ runs from June 2 to June 6. Dr Adebowale emphasized that the procurement policy acts as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and has notably strengthened SMEs. He noted that the policy aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda, focusing on empowering SMEs, youth-led enterprises, women-owned businesses, veterans, and other v
ulnerable groups through increased access to government contracts.
Dr Adebowale explained that the government’s current efforts are concentrated on bolstering small and medium-scale enterprises. He stated, “The affirmative procurement agenda is designed to take development closer to the people by creating procurement opportunities that SMEs can undertake with minimal barriers.” He highlighted that many young entrepreneurs have the capacity to execute small-scale projects and provide innovative technological solutions but are often hindered by stringent procurement requirements.
Furthermore, Dr Adebowale pointed out that over 70 percent of the country’s population comprises youth, and there are numerous projects worth between N10 million and N15 million that startups and SMEs can effectively execute. The aim, he said, is to create a pool of projects reserved for these groups without the cumbersome documentation required for large infrastructure contracts.
The BPP chief termed public procurement as a strateg
ic tool for industrial development, innovation, job creation, and national economic transformation. He detailed how procurement reforms have significantly enhanced transparency, accountability, competitiveness, and professionalism within the public sector. The government, he added, is further deepening these reforms through policy adjustments, institutional strengthening, and digitalization.
He also addressed procurement officers, cautioning against violations of the Public Procurement Act and warning that sanctions would be imposed on officials involved in contract splitting, bid rigging, conflict of interest, and other procurement-related offenses.
Dr Emem Kanico, APPON National President, described the conference as timely, noting its significance at this critical juncture in Nigeria’s procurement reform journey. He emphasized that the conference theme reflects ongoing efforts to reposition public procurement as a strategic instrument for national development, industrial growth, and economic sustainabili
ty. Kanico acknowledged the Nigeria First Policy’s implementation by the Federal Government as a pivotal development in the country’s procurement landscape, aiming to promote indigenous capacity, local content development, and economic self-reliance.
Mr Ehimoni Ibiyomi, Director-General and Chairman of the Forum of Directors-General of Public Procurement Agencies in the 36 states, stated that despite their crucial role in economic growth and employment, SMEs remain largely excluded from meaningful participation in public procurement. He urged for deliberate measures to enhance SME participation through reserved procurement opportunities, capacity-building programs, digital procurement platforms, and improved access to procurement financing.
Earlier in the event, Dr Raphael Amalaha, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the conference, highlighted the platform’s significance for knowledge sharing, professional networking, policy dialogue, and collaboration among procurement stakeholders. He expressed
satisfaction with the focus on empowering SMEs, recognizing their pivotal role in economic growth, employment creation, and national development.