The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, MCIPS, ACFE, hosted the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Arch. Sonny S.T. Echono, in his office in Abuja. The courtesy visit highlighted the critical role of both agencies in fostering transparency and development in Nigeria’s education and procurement sectors.
Welcoming the Executive Secretary and his team, Dr. Adebowale commended TETFUND for its significant contributions to reducing poverty and equipping graduates with market-ready skills. He praised the agency for championing the construction of iconic structures, such as lecture theatres in tertiary institutions, while urging an expansion into Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects to further strengthen Nigeria’s educational framework.
Dr. Adebowale outlined key reforms to streamline procurement processes, emphasizing:
The discontinuation of advertisement vetting by the BPP.
The need for agencies to present companies with due diligence and up-to-date records.
Agencies to establish clear, fixed budgets for projects.
Procurement processes to be managed by qualified procurement officers.
Contracts to include robust contract management plans.
Procurement planning and tender board reports as prerequisites for BPP approvals on contract documents.
In his remarks, Arch. Sonny Echono congratulated Dr. Adebowale on his recent appointment by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR. He lauded the Director-General’s proactive leadership and the policies aimed at saving resources for Nigeria while enhancing procurement efficiency.
The Executive Secretary expressed gratitude for the ongoing support TETFUND has received from BPP and applauded the Bureau for addressing delays in procurement processes. Arch. Echono reaffirmed TETFUND’s commitment to collaborating with the BPP to uphold transparency and accountability in the disbursement and management of education tax funds.
The visit underscored the shared commitment of both agencies to building a stronger education system and enhancing procurement governance for the benefit of Nigerians.
Signed
Zira Zakka Nagga
Head Public Relations (BPP)
