By SAMAILA IBN YAHAYA
Sometime in May last year, somewhere around the Life Camp District of Abuja, a family decided to host friends and colleagues to a “thank God” get-together for their 30th wedding anniversary.
The couple, being natural bridge-builders were intentional and deliberate in choosing invitees to the event. The simple but classy occasion, was attended by not more than 60 people from different categories; the elders, middle aged, and younger generation. Long, detailed, and time-consuming protocols had no place here. Guests were ushered to carefully arranged tables adorned with beautiful decorations, drinks, and small chops. In their welcome remarks, the couple advised everyone to, “savour our food and drinks with joy, and more importantly, interact with people.” For the writer, the last part proved instructive, as one looked forward to having a robust engagement on issues that come up.
One was not disappointed. As the day progressed, amid feasting, shaking heads, and moving bodies to the collage of music expertly delivered by the Disc Jockey, guests seated on one’s table “opened the floor.” An entrepreneur, who highlighted the rot in the country’s system, wondered if the new government could reverse the order. As expected, this triggered comments by people, who unanimously agreed that “nothing will change.” However, a septuagenarian, perhaps the oldest at the party differed. In measured tones, he believes that the Tinubu administration would get things right. Many people chorused, how?
Deeply informed, and brilliant, the retired Federal Director dropped the first clincher; the Tinubu administration has clear focus on where Nigeria is headed. While his “students” were still processing this, he declared that the Bureau for Public Procurement, (BPP) holds the key in the realization of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He reiterated that having carefully studied the policy document of the new government, and given his broad-based experiences in public financing, corporate governance, and public sector management, the BPP is expected to be a major plank in driving infrastructural development, economic growth, national development, and sectoral transformation. To underscore the imperatives of the Bureau, he advised everyone to Google, and study anything, everything about the Agency vis a vis the programmes and projects of the government. In conclusion, he hoped the government would be thorough and painstaking in the choice of who heads the BPP.
As days rolled to weeks and months, with no appointment of the substantive head of the BPP, the interaction with the retired Director kept coming to mind. Are his submissions true? Are his postulations in sync with the mindset of government? Has the government realized that the Bureau is the nexus to national development? How can the government truly leverage on the functions and powers of the Bureau to galvanize sector based reforms? Given the strategic position of the Bureau, how will the government head-hunt the right person to superintendent the agency? Given the importance of the Bureau to ALL MDAs, local and international organizations, will the appointee come from within the public service, private sector, or regional and global bodies?
Indeed, the delayed appointment of a substantive head for the BPP led to apprehension and anxiety amongst many stakeholders. However, late last year, President Bola Tinubu appointed Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, as the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the BPP. From reports, the choice elicited overwhelming endorsements by personalities and groups within the procurement and supply chain management sector. Mallam Usman Abdullahi, a lecturer said, “Adedokun’s appointment is the wisest and smartest move since the inception of the BPP.” Mr. Chukwudi Osondu, a practitioner affirmed that, “the man ticks all the boxes, he is not a beginner or outsider, he knows almost everything about the Bureau and profession.”
Mr. Mfon Aniekan, a retired public servant believes that, “as a world-class technocrat, his elevation would impact positively on procurement processes, and deepen the relevance of the profession to national development.” For Ms. Funke Ademola, a practitioner, “it is a round peg in the round hole because he has vast knowledge of the BPP, and the profession within and outside the country.” Chief Bickersteth Peters, a retired public servant described the appointment as, “the best to have happened in the professional. Many of the stakeholders believe that given his penchant for hard work, knowledge, transparency, and passion for excellence, he would emplace initiatives that are geared towards economic growth and national development.”
True to expectations, Adedokun, leveraging on his background, experiences, and networks; at home and abroad, he has justified the confidence reposed in him by President Tinubu, and other key members of the cabinet. That he is not coming from outside the Agency has proven very useful in the understanding and provision of solutions to issues. Also, having been privileged to, at various times functioned in different departments and units; that forms the fulcrum of the BPP gives him the edge. Being an influential member of many global associations such as the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, (CIPS), where he was recently named as one of the 15 “Global Visioners, and Procurement Pioneers” has contributed largely in positioning Nigeria as a global leader in public service procurement. His status and recognition as a global thinker and practitioner, has helped largely in domesticating new vision for public procurement, as well as other results-yielding initiatives.
Driven by unwavering commitment to excellence and transparency, Adedokun has brought a new lease of life to the BPP. There is promptness, order, and timely delivery of services. It is instructive to note that, in just one year, he has achieved milestones that have re-positioned it as one of the resourceful agencies. Between January and June, the BPP’s upgraded Nigeria Open Contracting Portal, (NOCOPO) saved over N173 billion, $155 million, and 1.7 million Euros through improved price intelligence. NOCOPO is a digital platform that gives better negotiation power for procuring entities, informed procurement decisions, and enabling the public to have, detailed and direct access to every procurement information. NOCOPO has been efficient in digitalizing procurement; integrating with some agencies including NASENI, towards making local suppliers visible and verifiable. Sometime this year, BPP, through its Digital Transformation and Transparency policy, launched e-government procurement system, which includes e-submission, and Nigeria E-Market. These initiatives have fostered bid cycles, reduced paperwork, lower leakages, and improved public access to contract data.
Aware of the Bureau’s performances, and its role as a major force in the realization of government’s vision for economic growth and national development, it was given the responsibility to drive the “Nigeria First” policy. Many stakeholders believe that President Tinubu took the right decision because public procurement is central to governance, especially in terms of economic challenges. Also, it highlights the government’s commitment to the strengthening of BPP; given the mandate to re-position procurement and elevate professionalism of its activities as a strategic engine of the Renewed Hope agenda. The BPP has evolved initiatives that align public spending with national development goals. Through this, priorities are given to promote the local industry, indigenous manufacturers, SMEs, women, and youths. This has enhanced service delivery to citizens, boosted investors confidence, and reduced inefficiency.
The Bureau’s partnerships with the EFCC, NFIU, FRC, ICPC, NEITI, and other relevant agencies have helped in strengthening trust, believability in public procurement; and the timely identification of potential bid-rigging, fraud, and other red flags. Professional partnerships with the CIPS (UK); Nigerian Bar Association; Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Nigerian Society of Engineers; Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, and some others have ensured improved technical evaluation, better cost management, strong quality assurance, and many other benefits. Through its collaboration with the World Bank; European Union; African Development Bank; United Nations Development Programme, and some other development partners, the BPP has aligned its services with global standards, and modernized procurement systems.
From verifiable records, the BPP, within one year has impacted on many segments of the society. Through the community-based procurement initiative, the agency is supporting the realization of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope agenda on grassroot empowerment, poverty reduction, rural inclusivity, project relevance and sustainability. How about the upscaling of service-wide operational thresholds for public procurement, which is reflective of current economic realities? Not forgetting procurement policies which give preference or access to disadvantaged groups, reduction of inequality in public contract opportunities, enhancing economic participation of marginalized groups, and strengthening inclusive growth in conformity with the SDGs. In fulfillment of its policy on capacity building and professionalization, the Bureau, in 2025, embarked on the National Procurement Certification Programme, (NPCP). Over 4,000 procurement officers were trained on delivering efficiency, transparency, and value-for-money in line with the realization of the Renewed Hope agenda.
Given the contributions of the BPP, in a year to the vision of President Tinubu as it relates to public procurement, economic growth, national development, many stakeholders believe that Adedokun and his team are poised to do more. A senior member of the professional body who pleaded anonymity declared that, “the DG’s pedigree and antecedents with the World Bank, UNDP, UN, and other global organizations will impact hugely on the country’s public procurement system.” Continuing, he affirmed that, “Adedokun’s patriotism and passion for realistic development of every sector has never been in doubt, happily, with the political will, and confidence of President Tinubu in him, I am convinced that the Bureau will achieve more, and surpass projections.” A staff member who pleaded anonymity disclosed that, “many of us like his administrative style which is anchored on unity, togetherness, shared responsibility, and hard work. He is a team-player who encourages everyone to perform optimally.” Many Nigerians hope that the BPP will continue to soar higher among the list of federal agencies.
SAMAILA IBN YAHAYA, a public sector analyst writes from Abuja.