In a major push to unify and strengthen public procurement across the states, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat formerly inaugurated the Committee of Practice of States Directors-General of Public Procurement Agencies (PPA)/ Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Forum of Nigeria.
It is a unified body comprising the heads of public procurement agencies from various states of Nigeria and BPP. Its main objective is to unite the state-level procurement heads to promote transparency, accountability, harmonises due process and public procurement standards.
The inauguration ceremony, held at NGF Secretariat in Abuja, marks a strategic milestone in deepening transparency, and accountability across sub-national government. The event brought together heads of the state’s procurement regulatory bodies, with the aim to collaborate and align public procurement processes with global best practices.
The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, FCIPS, commended the newly inaugurated committee of States Directors-General of Public Procurement Agencies, as he confirmed President Tinubu’s awareness of the forum’s establishment, and assuring them of BPP’s full support.
Dr. Adedokun further stated that the forum is a first attempt at inaugurating members of committee of practice, that will help organise appropriate procurement practice to enable it to attract direct foreign investments, reduce poverty, insecurity and help grow domestic industries and the nation’s Gross Domestic Products.
He emphasised the pivotal role of public procurement reform in sub-national economic stability and sustainable development.
In his opening address, the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu stated that public procurement is at the heart of transparent and accountable governance, and by formerly bringing together the leadership of states procurement agencies, the NGF is establishing a unified framework to peer-learning, policy alignment, and capacity building. He noted that states are to share experiences and not solve problems independently, help Government procure properly and guide officials across the state.
The Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Ehimoni S. Joshua made it known that the inauguration of the committee is the beginning of the institutional chapter in the collective effort to strengthen public procurement practice in Nigeria.
He reiterated the purpose of the forum which include:
Promotion of peer learning and capacity building across states; Enhancing transparency and proper due process in sub-national public spending; Harmonising procurement laws and best practices at local and state government levels.
He commended the NGF for providing the platform through which collective interest of states government can be discussed. He appreciated the confidence in initiating the forum and assured NGF of justifying the confidence through professionalisation, transparency and measurable success.
The Chairman said that BPP at the Federal has critical roles to play.
“The forum is not to duplicate or compete with BPP at Federal level, rather it is to complement national reform agenda, strengthen sub-national procurement and ensure that experiences, innovations, and challenges are effectively brought into national conversation on procurement reforms” he said.
He further said that the forum is looking forward to BPP at the Federal, in areas of technical support, capacity building, institutional development, regulatory knowledge sharing and standardisation.
The Forum leadership constitutes:
Chairman- Mr. Ehimoni S. Joshua (Kogi State)
Vice Chairman of Administration—Engr. Sanusi A. Yero (Kaduna State)
Vice Chairman of Finance—Mr. Onafowete Fatai (Lagos State)
Additional key Officers are:
Secretary/Head of Secretariat—Mr. Aaron Nicodemus Timiye (Bayelsa State)
Publicity Secretary—Chief Clifford Kelechi Okoro (Imo State).
Ngozi Anyaelezu
Assistant Chief Information Officer.
September 8, 2026.
