The Bureau of Public Procurement says it is strengthening collaboration with anti-corruption agencies to enhance transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s procurement processes.
Director-General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja at a national stakeholders’ interactive workshop with civil society organisations on emerging trends in procurement practices.
Adedokun said, “We have ramped up our collaboration and working relationship with anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Code of Conduct Bureau, and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.”
He explained that the inter-agency cooperation was aimed at “strengthening the fight against corruption in the public procurement and the public finance management system at large through effective corruption prevention mechanisms.”
Highlighting the key role of CSOs in reform efforts, the BPP DG said, “Your active participation can help bridge gaps in transparency and foster trust between government institutions and citizens. Other evolving roles of CSOs include advocacy and awareness, capacity building, social audits, community mobilisation, and enhancing public trust.”
To formalise CSO participation, Adedokun said the Bureau will soon publish a revised list of recognised organisations eligible to monitor procurement processes.
“Only the approved CSOs on the Register of Procurement Monitors will be recommended for MDAs to engage,” he said.
He added, “To ensure compliance, an appropriate circular will be issued, which will direct all MDAs to send a request to the BPP to engage CSOs as observers for bid opening immediately after advertisements are published.”
On digital reforms, the DG cited the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal as a tool that has “further enhanced openness and accessibility in procurement processes despite the persisting challenges”.
He concluded, “Public procurement is more than a technical function—it is a strategic enabler of national development through the effective delivery of Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. By ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, we directly contribute to economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development.”
The workshop was declared open by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by Mr Suleiman Haruna, a director in the ministry.
The BPP DG earlier issued a stern warning to procurement officers across ministries, departments and agencies, stating that it would expose and sanction any official involved in inflating contract costs or circumventing due process.
Adedokun said the days of procurement officers colluding with contractors or behaving like politicians were over, warning that anyone found culpable would be held accountable.
He clarified that inflated contracts, poor specifications, or irregular procurement approvals would no longer be tolerated.
