*Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, explains the fresh comprehensive guidelines are aligned with global best practices to promote transparency, accountability, and fairness, leading to sustainable growth and direct benefits to Nigerians

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

In a move to further promote transparency, accountability, and fairness in the system, Nigeria鈥檚 Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has announced a comprehensive framework with guidelines for strengthening procurement practices in the country鈥檚 Universities.

Zira Nagga, Head, Public Relations at BPP, stated Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of BPP, noted this Friday, October 10, 2025, in Abuja, FCT.

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Adedokun spoke at the Special University Council Retreat Programme organised by the Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) in Enugu.

He said the guidelines were aligned with global best practices to promote transparency, accountability, and fairness, leading to sustainable growth and direct benefits to Nigerians.

Adedokun stated one of the key aspects of the guidelines for the Universities is the adoption, and usage of the Revised Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs).

According to him, some critical items in the fresh guidelines are transparency and accountability through online submissions of requests and quarterly reports of procurement activities in the ivory towers.

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The Director-General of BPP further explained: 鈥淥ther key aspects are strategic planning to align procurement with university priorities and position the institutions as both national and global leaders through world-class infrastructure.

鈥淐apacity building to enhance utilisation of BPP-approved training programmes, such as continuous mandatory capacity programmes, Nigeria Procurement Certification Programme (NPCP).鈥�

On oversight functions of University Councils

The statement also noted the University Councils have a role to play in providing oversight functions and ensuring that University Management teams comply with BPP guidelines promptly, besides their issuance of applicable administrative sanctions against erring officers.

Dr. Adedokun as well stressed the centrality of procurement integrity to national development.

According to him, Universities, as citadels of knowledge must lead in demonstrating transparent, accountable, and sustainable use of resources.

Procurement, he averred, is important for Universities because of its support for quality teaching and learning facilities, research infrastructure and equipment, and fair allocation of resources.

He stated: 鈥淚t is also important for local content promotion and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) participation; and, achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education, health, innovation, and infrastructure.鈥�

Who should head University鈥檚 Procurement Department?

Emphasising that procurement should be treated as a professional cadre where officers are recruited to grow from the ranks, the BPP Chief stated: 鈥淚t must be staffed and organised in compliance with relevant laws and extant government circulars.

鈥淚t should be noted that no person or officer can head a procurement department of a university until such a person has gone through approved training by the BPP.鈥�

He restated that procurement officers have a crucial role in executing procurement activities, just as he warmed they would be held to the highest ethical standards at all times.

The Director-General asserted that any officer, who fails to meet these standards would face removal and sanctions within the Nigerian University system.

Meanwhile, Dr. Adedokun has expressed delight at the introduction of a course on Public Procurement and related reforms to final-year students by the University.

Universities should embrace these guidelines for transforming and positioning Nigerian universities as global models of integrity-driven growth and economic development, said he.

Adedokun averred that when procurement works, governance works, and when governance works, Universities flourish, and when Universities flourish, economies prosper.

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