The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, FCIPS has called for stronger collaboration between procurement and project management professionals to accelerate Nigeria’s industrial transformation, improve infrastructure delivery and ensure value for public expenditure.
He made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the International Project Management Day programme and induction ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Project Management with the theme: “Project Management: A Catalyst for Nigeria’s Industrial Transformation”.
He emphasised that effective procurement and professional project management are essential to translating government policies and investments into tangible development outcomes.
Dr. Adedokun explained that while procurement ensures the selection of competent service providers and establishes clear contractual obligations, project management coordinates resources, timelines, personnel and risks necessary for successful execution, stressing that the true measure of success should go beyond contracts awarded to the delivery of functional infrastructure, quality services and sustainable benefits.
He noted that the Bureau’s reform agenda, through initiatives such as the Nigeria First Policy, Sector-Based Procurement Frameworks and measures to broaden supplier participation, is aimed at strengthening domestic production, local supply chains and opportunities for Nigerian enterprises.
“At the Bureau, our reform agenda seeks to strengthen this connection through the Nigeria First Policy, Sector Based Procurement Frameworks and initiatives that broaden supplier participation, we are positioning government procurement to support domestic production, strengthen local supply chains and expand opportunities for Nigerian enterprises” he stated.
Dr Adedokun highlighted the recent launch of the MSMEs Public Procurement Training Programme and Digital Learning Portal, supported by the World Bank under the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project, as a major intervention to improve the capacity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to participate effectively in public procurement.
According to him, the initiative will equip MSMEs with the knowledge and skills to understand procurement requirements, prepare responsive bids and fulfil contractual obligations, while the digital platform will expand access to procurement education and continuous capacity development.
The Director-General further identified other ongoing reforms, including Price Intelligence and Benchmarking, Revised Standard Bidding Documents, revised Prior-Review and Monetary-Threshold implementation guidelines, and the Policy on Variations, as measures designed to strengthen procurement efficiency, transparency and project execution.
He added that the Bureau’s Monitoring and Evaluation System, alongside professional certification and continuous capacity building, would strengthen accountability and ensure that public expenditure translates into functional assets and measurable development outcomes.
Addressing the newly inducted members of the Institute, Dr. Adedokun urged them to uphold professional integrity, demonstrate excellence and embrace accountability, stressing that successful project management begins before contract award and extends beyond physical completion to the effective utilisation and maintenance of delivered projects.
He maintained that stronger collaboration among procurement professionals, project managers, contractors and other stakeholders would improve project delivery, strengthen domestic value chains, promote employment and contribute to national prosperity. He congratulated the Institute and the newly inducted members, urging them to remain committed to professional excellence and sustainable national development.
Speaking at the event, the Registrar-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, commended the Bureau’s leadership for the various public procurement reforms and digital transformation initiatives aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and efficiency in public procurement administration.
He particularly applauded the Institute’s digital transformation efforts, especially the automation of its membership registration, professional examinations, licensing and verification processes, noting that the technology-driven reforms have significantly enhanced efficiency and transparency in the administration of its professional activities.
Mr. Mbadiwe also highlighted the Institute’s electronic verification system and the integration of its Application Programming Interface (API), which enable organisations and relevant stakeholders to verify the professional status and licensing credentials of project managers, thereby promoting professionalism, credibility and accountability.
Ijeoma Chijioke Adindu
Head (Information and Public Relations)
