The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has marked a landmark first year under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr Adebowale A. Adedokun, FCIPS (Chartered), with sweeping reforms that have repositioned Nigeria’s procurement landscape as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the emerging “Nigeria First” policy.
The achievements recorded over the past year reflect the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to transparency, efficiency, accountability and sustainable development.
Central to the progress achieved is the issuance of revised Service-Wide Prior Review and Monetary Thresholds Implementation Guidelines, which recalibrated the financial limits that govern procurement approvals.
This update has introduced greater realism into budgeting processes, reduced administrative delays and ensured optimal value is achieved at all levels of government. For the first time, the approved thresholds now extend to the Legislative and Judiciary Arms, as well as Defence and intelligence institutions.
To strengthen the legal foundations of these reforms, a proposed amendment to the Public Procurement Act 2007 has reached an advanced stage and will soon be presented to the National Assembly.
The amendment aims to entrench transparency and value-for-money principles more firmly within the national procurement framework.
Significant strides have also been recorded in digital transformation. The deployment of a fully integrated e-government procurement system is underway, creating a seamless, paperless environment through which contracts will be advertised, bid, awarded and managed. In addition, the Nigeria E-Market has been launched to expand supplier participation and enhance price competitiveness. The Bureau has commenced e-submission of documents, which has already proved effective, with plans to ensure 100% adoption by January 2026.
The BPP is also developing the “Nigeria First” Policy and the National Procurement Transformation Strategy, both designed to direct public spending towards local industries, nurture domestic expertise and promote sustainability across all sectors.
To strengthen professionalism within the system, a new Community/Affirmative Procurement Mobility Initiative will rotate officers through various public-sector assignments, broadening their experience and helping to eliminate entrenched abuses.
Further consolidating the reform agenda is the rollout of revised Standard Bidding Documents and new specialised instruments, crafted to close historic loopholes and provide clarity for both bidders and evaluators.
This is complemented by a comprehensive Debarment Policy, which empowers the Bureau to sanction non-compliant suppliers, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the national supply chain.
The establishment of a Price Intelligence and Benchmarking Unit now equips government with reliable, real-time market data, ensuring prudent spending, particularly in sensitive areas such as food procurement for sub-national entities.
The Bureau has equally strengthened collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and professional bodies to create a unified front against procurement fraud and inefficiency.
Capacity building remains a central pillar of the Bureau’s work. A structured, continuous learning programme now reaches stakeholders at every level, embedding ethical standards and global best practices across the ecosystem.
The Nigeria Procurement Certification Programme has also achieved remarkable success in enhancing the competence and professionalism of procurement officers nationwide.
Work is ongoing to upgrade the national database of Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers, which will serve as a single verified registry for credible suppliers and streamline pre-qualification and contract-award processes.
In addition, sector-specific procurement frameworks covering Information Technology, Roads, Health, Education and general Services are being developed to address unique operational requirements.
To support complex procurement needs, the Bureau is working towards establishing a National Repository of Procurement Experts and Agents, providing government entities with easy access to a pool of vetted professionals.
As part of the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS), the BPP is also finalising a comprehensive National Procurement Strategy that aligns procurement activities with Nigeria’s economic priorities and fosters long-term sustainability.
Reflecting on the progress made, Dr Adedokun has consistently emphasised that these achievements represent only the beginning of a broader transformation. He reaffirmed the Bureau’s mission to institutionalise excellence, ensure transparency and position public procurement as a strategic engine for national development. He also expressed gratitude for the continued support of the National Assembly, development partners, civil society and the community of procurement professionals.
The Bureau of Public Procurement invites stakeholders, the media and the general public to engage actively with these ongoing reforms as they continue to unfold.
