BPP to Transform Nigeria’s Procurement System to Tackle Corruption

To enhance accountability and Transparency in the public procurement system, the Bureau of Public Procurement says by 2025, it will deploy an Electronic Procurement System that will be central to the bureau’s strategy to enable Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDAs) to standardize procurement records and real-time monitoring capabilities to tackle corruption in the Public Procurement system in the country.

The Director General of the Bureau, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, made the statement at a World Press Conference in Abuja, the nation’s capital, with the theme ‘Renewed Hope Through Strategic Procurement.’

Dr. Adedokun noted that his vision for the Bureau is to lead a regulatory institution that fosters strategic partnerships with public service organizations, anti-corruption agencies, media, and development partners to reposition the BPP as a driving force for Economic growth through world-class procurement practices.

“Our Public Procurement system in Nigeria needs some transformation to combat corruption in public offices, that is why we outline some strategies that would regulate all the current challenges, and with the effort of anti-corruption agencies, the bureau will be operating in world-class standard.

“Additionally, we will strengthen our oversight functions by implementing categorization and classification systems for contractors conducting procurement audits and providing periodic reports to the presidency.

“Nigeria’s Procurement System has made remarkable progress over the years. However, the Bureau’s twenty-one functions remain a reservoir of untapped potential opportunities for reforms, creativity, and the establishment of new standards to drive visible impact.”

In his remark, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Usman, expressed his commitment to support the Bureau to tackle the challenge of corruption in public procurement procedures in Nigeria.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu, assured the Director General of his corporation, saying that fighting corruption requires the synergy of the sister agencies.

The Bureau of Public Procurement was established to ensure that the procurement of goods, works and services using public resources adheres to established guidelines, guaranteeing quality service delivery at optimal cost.