The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing procurement practices through strengthened partnership.
Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of BPP, disclosed this in a statement issued by Zira Nagga, Head of Public Relations at the bureau in Abuja on Friday.
Adedokun, who received a delegation from the UK, African Region, and Asia Pacific branches of CIPS, said the MoU was designed to deepen existing collaboration with CIPS—a global leader in procurement practice—and to support the development of national procurement systems in Nigeria.
According to him, understanding procurement processes is essential for addressing various challenges, as the discipline extends far beyond contract awards to broader areas of governance and development.
Adedokun outlined his vision of national growth through enhanced training, improved knowledge, and adoption of international best practices in procurement.
“This will transform Nigeria into the ‘Dubai of Africa’ whereby all countries will be represented in Nigeria, thereby growing our industries and local content,” he said.
“All these could be achieved by collaborating with different professional bodies, of which Nigeria needs support from CIPS for rightful procurement practice.”
He highlighted several key initiatives of the bureau, including the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project, which has elevated Nigeria’s presence on the global procurement stage.
Adedokun also stressed the value of technology, but noted its limitations without adequate human development.
“Therefore, there should be a focus on human capacity development for officers to be trained and provided with the necessary certification that will enable them to compete globally,” he said.
He revealed that the BPP was actively promoting procurement as a viable career path in Nigeria, with more than 8,000 officers expected to benefit from the partnership with CIPS.
“BPP as a regulatory body will institute proper regulatory framework to regulate procurement ethics, good governance and procurement practice in Nigeria, and I urge everyone to comply,” he added.
Adedokun explained that the bureau’s Price Intelligence Unit (PIU) and External Cooperation Unit (ECU) would be responsible for implementing the MoU.
“The units would tap from the resources of CIPS on how prices are done in terms of consultancy, goods, works and services, to eliminate variations in prices,” he stated.
“The MoU brings both entities together to uphold the principles of good procurement practices and reaffirms the shared commitment to building a stronger and prosperous Nigeria.”
In his remarks, Ben Farrel, CEO of CIPS UK, praised the Nigerian Government for its recent global impact and said procurement and supply chain professionals must play a central role in shaping the future.
He emphasised that CIPS provides global benchmarks in ethical procurement and expressed the organisation’s commitment to a stronger presence in Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
“We are determined to move the procurement and supply chain profession and CIPS forward into a future where they are global leaders, shaping the future of the planet.”
(NAN)