The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has announced new steps to strengthen transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s procurement processes through strategic collaboration with anti-corruption agencies.
Director-General of the BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, disclosed this on Monday during a national stakeholders’ interactive workshop with civil society organisations (CSOs) in Abuja. He said the Bureau was intensifying partnerships with agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, and others to tackle corruption in public procurement.
“We have ramped up our collaboration and working relationship with anti-corruption agencies… to strengthen the fight against corruption in public procurement and public finance management,” Adedokun said.
The DG stressed that preventing procurement fraud is crucial for advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and achieving national development goals.
Highlighting the vital role of civil society organisations, Adedokun said CSOs serve as a critical bridge between government and the public in ensuring openness and integrity in contract awards and project implementation. He outlined evolving roles of CSOs such as advocacy, capacity building, social audits, and community mobilisation.
To ensure effective participation, the BPP announced plans to release a revised list of recognised CSOs eligible to monitor procurement processes. Only approved organisations listed in the Bureau’s Register of Procurement Monitors will be recommended for engagements by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“An appropriate circular will soon be issued, directing all MDAs to send requests to the BPP when they want to engage CSOs as observers for bid openings,” Adedokun added.
On the digital front, he noted that platforms like the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) have boosted accessibility and transparency despite ongoing challenges.
“Public procurement is more than a technical function—it is a strategic enabler of national development,” the DG said. “By ensuring transparency in managing public resources, we drive economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development.”
The workshop was officially opened by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by Mr. Suleiman Haruna, a director in the ministry.
Meanwhile, Adedokun issued a stern warning to procurement officers across all MDAs, stating that any official found inflating contracts or circumventing due process would be exposed and sanctioned.
“The days of procurement officers colluding with contractors or behaving like politicians are over,” he said. “Inflated contracts, poor specifications, or irregular approvals will no longer be tolerated.
