The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, MCIPS, ACFE, hosted the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman and her team in his office in Abuja.
The courtesy visit highlighted the critical roles of both entities in fostering transparency, accountability and effective coordination of government policies and reforms for effective service delivery in the procurement sector that gives value to the nation.
During the interactive session, Dr. Adedokun stressed on the shared collaboration with the Special Adviser for her guidance and support on the mode of coordinating Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and the general public on strategic procurement processes void of corruption and improper procurement practices.
The Special adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman, commended the DG on his efforts towards repositioning the procurement sector, as she expressed her readiness to support the Bureau.
She advised the BPP management team to define the priorities set by the Bureau in terms of policies and reforms, and the timeline for its execution and achievement which will eventually stand as a legacy for the organization, that links to self-actualization and best approach towards achieving the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman further suggested ways of implementing certain policies that will benefit the Bureau especially on Budget Allocation and its implementation within the procurement cycle and timeline; Enforcement of Digitalization which helps to reduce human interface; Performances, to measure the extent of MDAs compliance to procurement policies and to avoid mirage of excuses on wrongful procurement practices; Clarity and Categorization of procurement in terms of monitoring and understanding steps to track procurement activities of MDAs; training of Procurement Directors to enable them give adequate information to Permanent secretaries and Ministers about selective tendering and other procurement processes. More advice was given about legal litigation and disciplinary measures for procurement defaulters.
Dr. Adebowale in his response, outlined key reforms and policies to streamline procurement sector which includes:
- Capacity Building and Online Platform for self-service (Nigeria Procurement Certification Portal);
- E- Government procurement system:
- Deployment of E-Advertisement module for publication of all advertisement on BPP’s website
- Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) for upload of procurement plans.
- Creation of Price Intelligence and Benchmarking Unit, to ascertain the price range for bidding purposes.
- Creation of Monitoring and Evaluation Unit; and Audit and Surveillance Unit.
- The New Revised Standard Bidding Document, which also captures women owned businesses and procurement.
- Affirmative Procurement, which places importance on gender sensitivity.
- Community Based Procurement, whereby procurement is taken to the grassroots for the benefit of the people within the locality.
- Eligibility requirements of documents from MDAs must be met before submission to BPP.
- Policy Document on procurement of health and medical equipment/manufacturers.
- Partnering with Anti-Graft Agencies to curb procurement infractions.
- And the on-going amendment of the procurement act.
The DG BPP, pointed out some political interference in procurement processes, as he seeks the need for political support and presidential pronouncement to strengthen procurement activities.
The visit underscored shared commitment of both the Bureau and the Special Adviser to building stronger procurement ecosystem, coordinating strategic policies and reforms and enhancing procurement governance for the benefit of Nigerians.
Signed
Zira Zakka Nagga
Head of Public Relations (BPP)
8th May, 2025
