The Bureau of Public Procurement launches the Nigeria Procurement Certification Portal under the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project, implemented in collaboration with the World Bank; a centralized digital platform for the training, assessment, and certification of procurement professionals.
The Director-General, Bureau of Public procurement, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, MCIPS, ACFE, stated this, at the flag-off of the Nigeria Procurement Certification Platform at the UBEC Digital Resource Centre Abuja. A significant milestone in the nation’s reforms and repositioning of the procurement ecosystem.
Dr. Adebowale commended His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for the privilege and initiative given to the procurement sector on the professionalization and standardization of procurement practice in the country.
The DG said that, today’s event marks the actual take off that consolidates the approach to building capacity of public and private procurement officers who are doing business with the Federal Government. Adding that the capacity building programme is aimed at building knowledge, mastery and skills that will march the expectations of all stakeholders and adequate competence in managing public resources effectively.
He said that, the Bureau is encouraging professional bodies to assist in building sector based procurement expertise that will march that of private sector, and eventually reduce poverty, reduce subjectivity, turnaround time, wastages, and enhance job opportunities for graduates.
The DG said that, the Programme is supported by the Federal Government and other partners such as World Bank and SPESSE, and its implementation will be done in phases, starting from the Six Centres of Excellence. The programme covers the collaboration with Affirmative Procurement, which places importance on gender sensitivity, and over 7,000 procurement Officers have been trained and of which 30% are women.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, in her special remark, commended the DG, BPP for the initiative and reforms in the procurement sector, as she encouraged all procurement officers across the MDAs to actively enroll and complete the procurement certification programme. She said that, in today’s increasing complex procurement environment, certification is no longer optional, and it is fundamental to institutionalize procurement processes.
Adding that, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) is currently reviewing the Public Service rule and other related circulars, as today’s event has made it a mandatory requirement that, only well trained and certified procurement officers would manage procurement processes. Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack urged all MDAs to make deliberate budgetary provisions and available resources for capacity building.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, commended the DG, BPP for his visionary and exemplary leadership. He stated that, the certification programme is a transformation tool that addresses some of the critical challenges in procurement, and a bold commitment to deepen reforms and modernize the nation’s procurement processes in line with global best practices. The Honourable Minister emphasized the importance of awareness creation, as he urged all relevant agencies and public officers to embrace this initiative, and also call on the media to help amplify its benefits and monitor its implementation.
The Senate Committee and House of Representative on Public Procurement, the Director-General of different Agencies like NIMC, NDLEA and other dignitaries from all works of life registered their presence at the programme.
The Representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who is the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Adebayo Olawale Edun, in his keynote address, commended BPP for implementing a laudable project for the advancement of the country.
He said that, notwithstanding the forgoing reforms and the progress recorded, the government recognizes that taking the procurement ecosystem to its zenith remains work in progress, as institutionalizing procurement practices will ensure International Certification that will encourage the Nigerian youths to stay and work in the country. He said that, this programme is a government priority in its implementation and supervision to achieve the principles of transparency, and accountability for the implementation and success of the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Chief Wale Edun reiterated that, the digitalization and professionalization of the procurement sector is the way forward for national transformation, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has taken the bold step by becoming the first country to obtain World Bank credit for massive overhaul of the legal, human and institutional procurement systems and processes. Hence the SPESSE Program is therefore a legacy that will define the future of governance, sustainability and professionalism in Nigeria.
He called on all stakeholders—Universities, MDAs, development partners and the private sectors to support its successful implementation as he declared the SPESSE programme officially launched.
The programme was wrapped up with the unveiling of the Digital Certification Portal and Honorary Award of certificates, as the Bureau is optimistic in Effective service delivery and National Transformation.
Signed
Zira Zakka Nagga
Head of Public Relations (BPP)
3rd May, 2025
