The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has disclosed that it is collaborating with anti-corruption agencies to ensure that the procurement process in the country is not compromised.
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The Bureau has also promised to publish a revised list of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) can invite to observe procurement processes.
Director-General of the BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja at a one-day national stakeholders’ interactive workshop with CSOs on current trends in procurement practices and their roles in procurement reforms.
The workshop was declared open by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Suleiman Haruna.
In his opening remarks, the BPP Director-General explained that the inter-agency collaboration aims to strengthen the fight against corruption in public procurement and the public finance management system through effective corruption prevention mechanisms.
Dr. Adedokun said:
“Our resolve to further strengthen the integrity of the public procurement system in Nigeria remains unshaken.
We have ramped up our collaboration and working relationship with anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF), Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
This inter-agency collaboration is aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption in public procurement and the public finance management system at large, through effective corruption prevention mechanisms.
This reform is not limited to the federal level but is also being extended to sub-national levels through our partnerships with State Government Public Procurement Regulatory Authorities and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).”
He explained that the workshop was not just about identifying problems but about building partnerships for sustainable solutions.
“Together, we can create a public procurement system that truly serves the interests of all Nigerians—one that is transparent, efficient, and free from corruption,” he stated.
Dr. Adedokun described the workshop as a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and capacity building, noting that the Bureau is exploring current trends in procurement practices and the indispensable roles of CSOs in advancing procurement reforms in Nigeria.
He described public procurement as a cornerstone of governance and economic development, accounting for a significant portion of public expenditure and serving as a strategic tool for achieving national development goals.
He added that the recent introduction of digital platforms like the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) has further enhanced openness and accessibility in procurement processes, despite persisting challenges.
The BPP boss emphasized that CSOs are critical stakeholders in the journey toward a transparent procurement system. As watchdogs and advocates for good governance, CSOs play a vital role in monitoring procurement processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and holding public officials accountable.
He said:
“Your active participation can help bridge gaps in transparency and foster trust between government institutions and citizens.
Other evolving roles of CSOs include, but are not limited to, advocacy and awareness, capacity building of key actors, research and analysis, social audits, community mobilization, engaging in policy dialogue, deployment of technical tools, enhancing public trust, and supporting sustainable development, among others.
This workshop is designed to equip you with insights into emerging trends in procurement practices while emphasizing your roles as partners in reform. Together, we can build a procurement system that not only meets global standards but also delivers tangible benefits to all Nigerians.”
Continuing, he said:
“Public procurement is more than a technical function—it is a strategic enabler of national development through the effective delivery of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
By ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, we directly contribute to economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development.
As CSOs, you play a pivotal role in this process as watchdogs. Your work ensures that public funds are utilized efficiently to deliver impactful services to citizens.”
He added that as part of efforts to address challenges with project delivery caused by a weak contract management regime, the Bureau is currently collaborating with key stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association, and others to develop a robust contract management framework and system to cure the ills of the existing system.
“This will pave the way for more effective delivery of projects that are key to achieving the National Development Goals and prevent unnecessary exposure of government to contract risks that could constitute a huge drain on government resources,” he said.
Dr. Adedokun also announced that the BPP will publish a revised list of CSOs that MDAs can invite to observe procurement processes.
To ensure compliance, an appropriate circular will be issued, directing all MDAs to send requests to the BPP to engage CSOs as observers for bid openings immediately after advertisements are published.
“Only the approved CSOs on the Register of Procurement Monitors will be recommended for MDAs to engage.
Consequently, we must jointly develop a new framework for our engagement that focuses on, among other things, ethical practices, sanctions and incentives, innovative sources of funding, and creative means of effectively observing procurement processes.”
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