*Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, warns Procurement Officers in Federal Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-owned Companies against non-approved procurement plans, describing the practice as a breach of provisions of the extant laws in Nigeria

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Nigeria鈥檚 Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has warned Procurement Officers in government Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) against non-approved procurement plans, describing it as a breach of provisions of the extant laws in the country.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of BPP, stated this Monday, November 24, 2025, while speaking at a meeting with Non-Pool Procurement Officers in the Federal Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-owned Companies, in Abuja, FCT.

Adedokun emphasised that failure not to have procurement plans is a criminal offence.

Zira Nagga, Head of Press and Public Relations of the Bureau, noted the Director-General stated: 鈥淎 situation where officers at the directorate cadre recommend to the accounting officers to sign off procurements that were not captured in plans amount to a breach of the provisions of the extant laws.

鈥淭he following constitute offences under the Public Procurement Act (PPA), 2007: signing or awarding contracts without a procurement plan and administrative approvals (Finance Act 2023).鈥�

He also explained: 鈥淓ntering or attempting to enter into a collusive agreement with a supplier, contractor or consultant; conducting or attempting to conduct procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt acts.

鈥淒irectly, indirectly or attempting to influence a procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in award of a contract, and splitting of tenders to enable the evasion of monetary thresholds set.鈥�

Sanctions for erring Procurement Officers, by Adedokun

Highlighting the disciplinary measures against erring officials, Dr. Adedokun listed some administrative sanctions for public officers in accordance with Section 6(e) of the PPA, 2007, to include the suspension of officers concerned with the procurement or disposal proceeding in issue.

The BPP Chief Executive also said other sanctions would include the replacement of the Head, or any of the members of the procuring or disposal unit of any entity or the chairperson of the Tenders Board.

He equally noted: 鈥淭he discipline of the accounting officer of any procuring entity; and, the temporary transfer of the procuring and disposal function of a procuring and disposing entity to a third-party procurement agency or consultant.鈥�

According to him, the current administration is committed to its ongoing procurement reforms and would not fail to sanction government officials and companies that acted in breach of the extant procurement laws.

The Director-General of BPP said the provisions of Section 58 (5) of the PPA, 2007, which prescribe, upon conviction, provide a term of imprisonment of not less than five calendar years without any option of fine for government officials.

There is also a summary dismissal from government services, Adedokun stated.

For erring legal entities/companies, he said such establishments would face debarment from all public procurements for a period not less than five calendar years.

The Director-General stated: 鈥淚n addition, a fine equivalent to 25 per cent of the value of the procurement in issue in accordance with Section 58(6) of PPA, 2007.鈥�

Adedokun as well announced a series of policies aimed at achieving effective procurement processes, citing an SGF circular Ref. No. 59780/S.I/T.I/117 dated 14 June 2017.

He restated that the circular prohibited officers in other cadres from performing procurement functions where career procurement officers were available.

According to him, only officers employed as Procurement Officers, or converted to the procurement officer cadre are permitted to conduct procurement functions.

Adedokun cautioned officials: 鈥淢inistries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) without qualified procurement officers should, as a matter of urgency, liaise with the BPP to conduct procurement training for staff members handling procurement functions.

鈥淭he MDAs should also ensure that such staff members are compulsorily enrolled for the next conversion and or induction exercise scheduled by the BPP.鈥�

The Director-General, therefore, urged Procurement Officers to do the right thing, assuring them that the BPP would leverage presidential support to defend against persecution by officers or directors trying to pervert procurement processes.

Henceforth, the postings of Procurement Directors to MDAs must be approved by the BPP; otherwise, such postings would be considered non-procedural and illegal, he added.

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