The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has commenced a three-day Management Retreat at the Zuma Rock Resort, Niger State, with the theme: “Repositioning the Bureau of Public Procurement for Mandate Optimization.” The retreat, taking place from February 22nd to 24th, 2025, brings together key stakeholders, procurement experts, and management team members to explore strategies for enhancing the efficiency and transparency of Nigeria’s public procurement system.
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, MCIPS, ACFE, in his welcome address, emphasized the Bureau’s commitment to ensuring competition, accountability, value for money, efficiency, and transparency in public procurement processes. He also acknowledged the presence of distinguished guests, including the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination & Head, Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), Hadiza Bala Usman, whose participation underscores the importance of procurement reforms in national development.
He stated that the retreat provides a platform for participants to assess the Bureau’s progress, identify areas for improvement, and develop innovative strategies for mandate optimization, adding that the discussions will focus on procurement reform, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and leveraging emerging technologies to enhance public procurement processes.
Dr. Adedokun reiterated that the Bureau has engaged a team of renowned experts and seasoned professionals as resource persons to provide valuable insights and practical knowledge. He encouraged active participation from all attendees, stressing that their contributions will play a vital role in shaping the future of public procurement in Nigeria.
“This retreat is a valuable investment of our time and resources. It is an opportunity to reflect, strategize, and strengthen our procurement system to support the Federal Government’s development objectives. Together, we can build a procurement system that is transparent, accountable, and efficient.”
In her goodwill remarks, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination & Head, Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), while leveraging on the mandate of the Bureau, stating her unalloyed support in ensuring mandate optimization of the Bureau.
Hajiya Hadiza further stated that the Bureau of Public Procurement remains committed to continuous improvement and collaboration with stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the procurement system, stating that the retreat is expected to yield actionable outcomes that will further position the Bureau as a key driver of good governance and economic development.
She acknowledged the significant stride of the Bureau over the years; a lot of achievements must continue. However, she noted as follows;
i. Need for the Bureau to reposition strategically and improve on its mandate in its service delivery in order to stay relevant.
ii. Need for total support for the DG and working together as a team in order to change the bad record of the bureau so as not to be relegated by the current administration.
iii. Need to promote transparency and review the existing procurement laws.
iv. Challenges must be identified and resolved accordingly.
v. Decisions must be taken in the best interest of Nigerians without sentiment.
vi. Booklets of information on FAQs on procurement should be reviewed and updated and made easy for the general public.
vii. There is emphasis on Permanent Secretaries and CEO’s Retreat in order for them to understand the peculiarities of Public Procurement.
viii. Selective Tendering should be stopped; hence, because it is a wrong process.
ix. Advertisement should be encouraged for a fair process and public participation instead of selective process.
x. Procurement Audit be carried out regularly and evenly.
xi. Capacity building for the entire staff of the Bureau should be prioritized (staff training).
xii. There should be an improvement in staff remuneration and other allowances to measure up to economic demands, personal obligations, and responsibilities; housing schemes and medical schemes should be considered as part of benefits for staff. This she stressed is necessary, adding that corruption would be eradicated if staff are well paid.
xiii. Enabling the working environment is strongly advised.
xiv. Digitization and automation of the system are strongly recommended.
xv. BPP should work in synergy with other Anti-Corruption agencies.
xvi. Strengthening of monitoring & evaluation as well as encouraging local content implementation.
xvii. Massive public orientation and sensitization
She concluded by advising the Bureau to up its game and close up gaps in discharge of its mandate. She expects that if the above highlights are strictly adhered to, BPP is on its way to repositioning for mandate optimization. Thereafter, she formally declared the retreat opened.
PRESENTATIONS DURING THE RETREAT
- The BPP of our Dreams by Engr. Emeka .M. Ezeh OFR, Chairman FCT Civil Service Commission.
- Strengthening Public Procurement for National Development Resources Mobilization, Funding Strategies and Policy Alignment by Chief Bayo Awosemusi, Former World Bank lead Governance Specialist.
- Workplace Ethics and BPP Success by Mrs Titilayo Akinsanya, Chief Executive Officer, Theta Alpha Consult Limited.
- The making of a Performance Driven Agency – Alignment with FCSSIP25 Imperatives. PMS by Mrs Fatima S.T Mahmood, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, OHCSF.
- Technology and Innovation in Procurement: Current Practices and Innovation by Engr. Ifeanyi Ogochukwu, Digitalization Adviser to NCAA.
- Imperative Intervention for Rebranding BPP: Stakeholders Engagement, Strategic Communication and Reputation Management by Prof. Bala Muhammad, Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano.
- Strategic Vision for the Reform of BPP by Dr. Adebowale .A. Adedokun, MCIPS, ACFE, Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). Dr. Adebowale outlined the reforms as follows:
Restructuring and Rebranding the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)
Provision of befitting offices for BPP Headquarters
Establishment of Monitoring and Evaluation, Audit and Independence Compliance System
Opening of Zonal Offices in the six Geo Political Zones
The need for enhance welfare package for BPP Staff
The need for BPP to start generating revenue
Community Based Procurement Process
Start E-Procurement platform for BPP Procurement Process
Digitization of BPP Procurement Process - Optimization the Mandate of the BPP: Assessing Today’s Vision and Mission for Tomorrow’s Relevance by Dr. Offiong Archibong, Managing Director, Stransform Limited.
Signed
Zira Zakka Nagga
Head of Public Relations (BPP)
