CPA: BPP reforms saved N1.1tn through procurement transparency

The Centre for Public Accountability (CPA) says the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has made progress in strengthening transparency, accountability and integrity in Nigeria’s public procurement system. The commendation was contained in the organisation’s Independent Service Delivery Assessment Report on government institutions, which paid special attention to the performance of the BPP under the leadership […]

The Centre for Public Accountability (CPA) says the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has made progress in strengthening transparency, accountability and integrity in Nigeria’s public procurement system.

The commendation was contained in the organisation’s Independent Service Delivery Assessment Report on government institutions, which paid special attention to the performance of the BPP under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, the Executive Director of the CPA, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, said the Bureau had distinguished itself through far-reaching reforms, innovative policies and digital transformation initiatives designed to enhance good governance and ensure prudent management of public resources.

Lawson explained that the assessment, conducted over several months, involved extensive stakeholder consultations, policy reviews, institutional observations and evaluation of measurable outcomes within the procurement sector.

According to him, the findings showed that the BPP had made significant progress in improving compliance with due process requirements and restoring public confidence in procurement administration.

One of the major achievements highlighted in the report was the introduction of the National Debarment Policy, which provides a framework for sanctioning fraudulent, unethical and non-performing contractors.

He described the policy as a critical intervention aimed at safeguarding public resources and promoting accountability in the award and execution of government contracts.

The CPA also commended the Bureau for rolling out revised Standard Bidding Documents across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), noting that the initiative had enhanced transparency, reduced opportunities for manipulation and strengthened fairness in the procurement process.

The report further noted that the Bureau’s migration to an electronic submission system had improved efficiency by reducing physical bottlenecks, limiting human interference and increasing transparency in procurement approvals.

Lawson said the digital transformation drive aligns with global best practices and has significantly strengthened procurement governance in Nigeria.

The CPA particularly praised the agency’s Price Intelligence and Benchmarking System, which it said had generated savings of more than N1.1 trillion through real-time price verification and the elimination of inflated contract quotations.

“The reforms introduced by the Bureau are helping to strengthen procurement integrity and ensure greater value for public funds. These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to transparency, efficiency and accountability in government spending,” Lawson stated.

The organisation also acknowledged the Bureau’s efforts to professionalise procurement practice through training and certification programmes for procurement officers across the public service.

According to the report, over 4,000 procurement officers have benefited from capacity-building initiatives, while more than 2,700 officers have been certified under the National Procurement Certification Programme.

Lawson added that the Nigeria First Policy Framework, contractor classification systems, sector-specific procurement frameworks and local content promotion initiatives introduced by the Bureau had further strengthened Nigeria’s procurement ecosystem.

While commending the reforms, the CPA urged the National Assembly to expedite action on proposed amendments to the Public Procurement Act to reinforce accountability measures and institutionalise digital procurement systems.

The organisation maintained that sustaining the current reform momentum would deepen transparency, curb corruption and improve service delivery across public institutions