Abuja: The Federal government says the era of vulnerable groups begging for government contracts is over, declaring that affirmative procurement has now been institutionalised as a legal obligation for all federal entities. The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, made this announcement at the ongoing awareness-raising workshop on the National Policy on Affirmative Procurement (NPAP).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adedokun stated that the Federal Government has established a specific procurement framework to enable women, youth, persons with disabilities, and veterans to compete for designated opportunities. He emphasized the importance of competence over charity, urging government agencies to focus on these groups.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, affirmative procurement has become a permanent fixture, with ministries, departments, and agencies expected to create specific portfolios for targeted groups. This initiative aligns with the President’s ‘Nigeria First’ policy, which prioritizes Nigerian businesses and products across various societal strata.
Adedokun encouraged beneficiaries to be professional and prepared, highlighting that contracts would not be awarded without capacity. He advised them to grow, partner with established firms, and build competence to fulfill contractual obligations.
The broader objective of this policy is to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and contribute to achieving the administration’s one trillion dollars economy target by ensuring every critical stakeholder group participates in national development.
Similarly, Ms Eugenia Ojeah, Team Lead for Affirmative Procurement at BPP, mentioned that participants at the event would be guided on how to register for contracts. She emphasized BPP’s commitment to providing an enabling environment and access to necessary networks for public process participation.
Mr Mahesh Mishra, Economic Counsellor and Head of Growth, Trade and Investment at the British High Commission, described the policy as a significant step toward inclusive economic transformation. He highlighted the UK-Nigeria strategic partnership, which focuses on economic growth and job creation, advocating for women’s active participation in public procurement as a social and economic objective.
Ms Natasha Akioye, National Coordinating Officer for the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Nigeria, noted that the policy aims to expand access to government contracts for women-led businesses and other historically excluded groups. She emphasized the importance of understanding how to position for opportunities, including registering on the BPP platform.