…Signs MoU with CIPS on strengthening procurement processes
The Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, has vowed to transform Nigeria into Dubai of Africa through fidelity to the right training and knowledge, and best procurement practices.
Adedokun, who made the vow shortly after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) United Kingdom, African Region and Asia Pacific, Mr. Ben Farrell in Abuja, said that said that knowledge in procurement processes was essential to navigate problems of life.
These were contained in a press statement issued on Friday, June 6, 2025, by Zira Zakka Nagga, Head of Public Relations of the BPP in which he quoted the BPP DG as having said that procurement practice was not only centred on awards of contracts, but also broader and wider in its praxis.
Adedokun disclosed that the Bureau had embarked on a number of projects aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s drive to take its rightful place on the global stage in terms of adherence to best procurement practices.
The BPP DG cited one of such initiatives as the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project, which had set Nigeria on the global space to impact the world significantly.
Adedokun underscored his vision and agenda to help in the development of the country through the right training, retraining, and impartation of knowledge about best procurement practices that would transform Nigeria into “Dubai of Africa”.
He said that he envisioned a Nigeria where all countries would be represented and where industries and local content would grow, stressing that these would be achieved by collaborating with different professional bodies such as CIPS.
Adedokun also said that Nigeria, through BPP, would tap CIPS for support for rightful procurement practices through its numerous programmes and initiatives, emphasising that the MoU was to deepen the existing partnership with CIPS, a lead in global procurement practice, as well as a catalyst to support a national procurement practice in Nigeria.
The Director General underscored the role of technology in driving procurement processes, practices, and reforms but noted that without adequate human development, technology would become inoperable.
He further said; “Therefore, there should be focus on human capacity development for officers to be trained and provided with the necessary certification that will enable them compete globally.
“BPP is championing a career part in procurement in Nigeria as over 8,000 officers will benefit from the partnership with CIPS. BPP, as a regulatory body, will institute a proper regulatory framework to regulate procurement ethics, good governance, and procurement practice in Nigeria, and everyone is expected to comply,” he said.
Adedokun said that there were two units in the Bureau: The Price Intelligent Unit (PIU) and External Cooperation Unit (ECU) to drive the MoU and to tap into the resources of CIPS on how prices were done in terms of consultancy, goods, works and services, in order to eliminate variations in prices.
The MoU, he noted, brings both entities together to uphold the principles of good procurement practices and reaffirms the shared commitment to building a stronger and prosperous Nigeria.
Speaking in turn, the CIPS CEO, Mr. Ben Farrell commended the Nigerian government for the recent impact that the country had made in the world.
Farrell said; “CIPS brings best standard in terms of ethical procurement practices, and serves as a benchmark around the world,” pointing out that CIPS’ commitment to show up in Nigeria was a bigger voice and bigger presence to fulfil the ambition of capacity building and national strategic vision for procurement.
“More people need skills in procurement because it is a profession that is relevant around the world, and it is important for Africa and the world to strive towards development”.
