The federal government has intensified efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and professionalism in public procurement by approving seven new zonal offices for the Bureau of Public Procurement. This was disclosed in a statement  on Monday.

It said the development was one of the highlights of the meeting between the World Bank-supported Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Implementation Mission and the BPP.

Adebowale Adedokun, BPP’s director-general, said the government was also introducing sustainable procurement as a specialised area for recruitment into the procurement cadre.

Mr Adedokun said the initiative would create a structured career pathway for graduates currently undergoing training in the discipline at the six SPESSE Centres of Excellence nationwide.

The institutions include Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Lagos; Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi; and the University of Benin.

According to him, the move aims to enable graduates to contribute effectively to ongoing public-sector procurement reforms.

Mr Adedokun said the bureau was also collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop a National Procurement Strategic Framework and amend the Public Procurement Act, 2007, as part of efforts to modernise procurement processes.

The BPP chief also mentioned that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of seven zonal offices nationwide to deepen the bureau’s reach and improve procurement nationwide.

He added that the bureau had recorded significant progress in its certification and professionalisation drive, with no fewer than 2,075 procurement officers verified and 816 certification results already received.

Speaking on behalf of the World Bank, Ishtiak Siddique commended the BPP for the progress recorded under the SPESSE programme, particularly in procurement certification and capacity-building efforts.

Mr Siddique said verification exercises under the programme would commence in July.

He identified the unveiling of standard tender documents, procurement sustainability retreats, electronic procurement implementation and training support for micro, small and medium enterprises as key areas for collaboration.

According to him, electronic procurement represents the next major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to build a more transparent and efficient public procurement system.

Mr Siddique stressed the need to sustain momentum on procurement reforms.

Officials at the meeting also reviewed progress on the National Procurement Officers Management System, the Nigeria Public Procurement Certification Programme, and strategies to strengthen collaboration with key institutions.

The institutions include the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Federal Civil Service Commission.

The developments underscore ongoing efforts by the federal government, in partnership with the World Bank, to institutionalise procurement professionalism, enhance transparency and align Nigeria’s procurement system with global best practices.

(NAN)