The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has launched a comprehensive framework and guidelines for strengthening procurement practices in Nigerian universities, aligning them with global best practices to promote transparency, accountability, and fairness, leading to sustainable growth and direct benefits to the Nigerian people.
Director General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale A. Adedokun stated this during a Special University Council Retreat Programme organised by the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) at Golden Royale Hotel, Enugu.
Adedokun listed the adoption and usage of the Revised Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs), transparency and accountability through online submissions of requests and quarterly reports of procurement activities as some of the key aspects of the guidelines for the universities.
He said that the university councils had a role to play in providing oversight functions and ensuring that managements comply in a timely fashion with BPP guidelines as well as in the issuance of applicable administrative sanctions.
The BPP DG stated that strategic planning to align procurement with university priorities and position the institutions as both national and global leaders through world-class infrastructures; and capacity building to enhance utilisation of BPP-approved training programmes such as continuous mandatory capacity programmes, Nigeria Procurement Certification Programme (NPCP) and others were also key aspects of the guidelines.
BPP Reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Dr Adedokun took the opportunity of the presentation to highlight some of the BPP reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda such as the Revised Thresholds which define limits for Request for Quote (RFQ), National Competitive Bidding (NCB), and International Competitive Bidding (ICB) for value-for-money; e-Government Procurement which enhances transparency and efficiency; “Nigeria First” Policy which promotes local content; Debarment Policy which sanctions non-performing contractors; and NOCOPO’s price intelligence which saved for Nigeria ₦173bn, $155m, and €1.7m from January-June 2025.
The DG emphasised the centrality of procurement integrity to national development, noting that universities, as citadels of knowledge, must lead in demonstrating transparent, accountable, and sustainable use of resources.
Why procurement matters for universities
Adedokun said that procurement mattered for universities because of its support for quality teaching and learning facilities; research infrastructure and equipment; fair allocation of resources; local content promotion and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) participation; and, achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education, health, innovation, and infrastructure.
The DG said that university councils were responsible for provision of strategic oversight and guidance; approval of projects leading to development of a procurement plan that is aligned with budgetary provision; ensuring compliance with BPP thresholds and procedures; championing ethics and integrity of all stakeholders; and encouraging continuous improvement, adoption, and innovation.
Procurement Cadre:
Adedokun took the opportunity of his presentation to explain why procurement cadre must be professionalised.
According to him, “Procurement must be treated as a professional cadre where officers are recruited to grow through the ranks. It must be staffed and organised in compliance with relevant laws and extant government circulars.
“It should be noted that no person or officer can head a Procurement Department of a university until such a person has gone through approved trainings by the BPP.”
He emphasised that procurement officers play a pivotal role in implementing procurement activities and warned that they will be held to the highest ethical standards at all times.
He further declared that any officer found wanting will face removal from their position and subsequent sanctions, as deemed appropriate.
The DG expressed his delight about the introduction of a course on public procurement for all final year students by the university and other related reforms.
Call to action
Adedokun urged universities to embrace these guidelines for transforming and positioning Nigerian universities as global models of integrity-driven growth and economic development.
He said: “When procurement works, governance works. When governance works, universities flourish. And when universities flourish, nations prosper.”
e-Signed
Zira Zakka Nagga
Head of Public Relations (BPP)
10th October 2025
