Aljazirah Newspaper has conferred an award of “2025 Aljazirah Person of the Year, Exemplary Public Service Stewardship” on the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, FCIPS, FCILT, FSM.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aljazirah Nigeria, Etuk Bassey Williams, cited measurable institutional impact, ethical leadership, and sustainable reforms as criteria that recommended Dr. Adedokun for the award.
Williams, during the presentation of the award, further said the recognition was anchored on evidence of structural change within Nigeria’s procurement system.
He noted that Dr. Adedokun had distinguished himself through professionalism, methodical reform, and steadfast integrity.
According to the citation, since his appointment in November 2024, Dr. Adedokun has repositioned public procurement as a strategic instrument for transparency, accountability, and value for money.
Drawing on decades of experience, including his previous role as Director of Research, Training and Strategic Planning at the Bureau, he has combined scholarships with practical reform, aligning domestic systems with international best practices.
His engagements with institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme, African Development Bank (AFDB) and the World Bank were highlighted as strengthening Nigeria’s procurement governance framework and embedding global standards in local implementation.
Under his leadership, the Bureau has strengthened digital systems, enhanced compliance mechanisms, professionalised procurement officers and integrated sustainability considerations into public expenditure processes.
Williams said the honour celebrated not only competence but also character and enduring reform.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Adedokun dedicated the award to the more than 160 officers of the Bureau, describing them as the true drivers of the ongoing transformation.
I am proud to represent them. They deserve every single award, he said.
He acknowledged that the Bureau’s strict adherence to rules often attracted resistance from vested interests.
The outside world does not like BPP simply because we cannot align with misuse of pocket funds, he stated, adding that reform work frequently goes unappreciated even within personal circles due to the demanding nature of BPP engagement.
They told us clearly to maintain integrity, and that if we change direction, they will withdraw the award, he said, noting that he publicly accepted that standard.
He attributed the push behind the reforms to the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the recognition ultimately reflected the administration’s governance agenda.
This award belongs to the President. He mandated us to change the procurement landscape. We are only implementing that vision, he said.
Describing the Bureau as the gatekeeper of public finance, the DG stressed that procurement oversight remained central to national accountability.
According to him, if the gate man fails, the house becomes vulnerable. As far as procurement is concerned in this country, if BPP fails, the country has failed.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency and professionalism, declaring that integrity remained non-negotiable.
The day we fail in this commitment, they should take back the award, Dr. Adedokun said.
e-Signed:
Zira Zakka Nagga,
Head of Press and Public Relations (BPP)
March 16, 2026
