The Senate has renewed calls for greater transparency and strict compliance with due process in Nigeria’s public procurement system, insisting that every naira spent by the government must be accounted for through visible and verifiable projects.
This position was restated on Thursday during a two-day retreat for members of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, held in Abuja.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North), said the time had come to make Nigeria’s procurement system more transparent, efficient, and accountable in line with international best practices.
“Public procurement is not merely a technical or administrative activity; it is the mechanism through which government policies are transformed into tangible services, infrastructure, and development outcomes,” Ipinsagba stated.
According to him, procurement represents a major part of government expenditure and must, therefore, reflect the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
“It accounts for a significant proportion of national expenditure and, therefore, demands the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and accountability,” he added.
Ipinsagba observed that while the enactment of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) were significant milestones, Nigeria still needs deeper reforms to strengthen compliance and reduce corruption in the system.
He said, “Public procurement is not a one-time event; it is a continuous process of evolution, adaptation, and learning. The Senate Committee on Public Procurement remains committed to legislative oversight, policy advocacy, and institutional reforms that strengthen integrity and compliance in the procurement system.”
The senator stressed that aligning procurement practices with global standards would enhance efficiency, improve governance, and ensure that public spending delivers real impact on citizens’ welfare.
“By aligning our practices with international standards and embracing innovation, we can ensure that every naira spent translates into better schools, safer roads, improved healthcare, and a more prosperous nation,” he said.
Ipinsagba also noted that the committee was working closely with the Bureau of Public Procurement and other key stakeholders to identify loopholes in contract implementation and strengthen monitoring mechanisms.
He explained that such reforms would help ensure that public funds are used judiciously, reduce leakages, and promote competitive bidding and fairness in government projects.
Earlier in her presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of Leadbold Resource Consulting Limited, Barrister Kelechi Kingsley, highlighted the importance of capacity building for lawmakers and procurement officials to improve transparency and accountability.
Kingsley said the retreat was designed to strengthen the strategic leadership capacity of the Senate Committee in oversight, compliance, and performance evaluation within Nigeria’s public procurement ecosystem.
“The retreat seeks to expose participants to global regulations, international best practices, and practical frameworks that will strengthen institutional integrity, ensure value for money in public expenditure, and advance national development objectives through sound procurement governance,” she said.
Kingsley added that global best practices in procurement now emphasise open contracting, e-procurement platforms, and performance monitoring — all of which Nigeria can adopt to reduce inefficiency and corruption in project delivery.
She commended the Senate for its efforts to provide oversight and policy guidance on the implementation of the Public Procurement Act, stressing that consistent review and enforcement were key to sustainable development.
Participants at the retreat discussed measures to enhance procurement transparency, including strengthening the role of the BPP, improving digital record-keeping, and increasing sanctions for contract fraud.
They also agreed that procurement officers must be trained continuously to understand international standards and ethical obligations in managing public funds.
The retreat forms part of the Senate’s broader legislative agenda to improve accountability, promote value-for-money spending, and ensure that government projects deliver real benefits to the Nigerian people.
By the end of the session, lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to work with relevant agencies to ensure that Nigeria’s procurement system evolves into a model that supports national growth and development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
