Adebowale Adedokun, director-general of the Bureau of Public Procurement, has advised civil servants to develop business plans for life after retirement.

A statement by Ngozi Anyaelezu, spokeswoman for BPP, on Tuesday, said Mr Adedokun gave the advice at the 114th Anniversary Symposium of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU). In his address as the keynote speaker, said civil servants should prepare early for retirement by acquiring relevant skills and developing sustainable business plans.

Mr Adedokun described the NCSU, founded in 1912, as an institution whose history was inseparable from the evolution of Nigeria. He congratulated the union on its 114th anniversary and commended its contributions to workers’ welfare, dignity and professionalism.

The BPP boss said the Nigerian Civil Service remained central to the implementation of the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“No reform succeeds without capable public servants. No policy delivers meaningful impact without effective implementation.

“The civil service, therefore, remains one of the most critical vehicles through which the aspirations of the Renewed Hope Agenda will be translated into tangible outcomes for citizens,” he said.

Mr Adedokun urged public servants to uphold integrity, professionalism, accountability and patriotism while embracing innovation in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He also called on stakeholders to support procurement reforms aimed at creating jobs, empowering businesses, supporting farmers, strengthening local industries and promoting inclusion.

“Public procurement is no longer a routine administrative activity. It has become a powerful enabler for economic growth, industrial development, job creation, social inclusion and institutional accountability,” he said.

Mr Adedokun said procurement reforms under the current administration were repositioning public expenditure as a catalyst for national prosperity, anchored on five transformative pillars.

He identified the Nigeria First Policy, Affirmative Procurement, National Guidelines for Food Procurement Reform, e-Procurement, professionalisation of the procurement cadre and continuous capacity building as key areas of the reforms.

He said the Nigeria First Policy was designed to promote local content and support Nigerian businesses by using government procurement to stimulate local production, expand industrial capacity, create employment and retain economic value.

The BPP chief said affirmative procurement would create opportunities for women-owned enterprises, youth-led businesses, persons with disabilities and community-based enterprises to access public contracts. He said the National Guidelines for Food Procurement Reform would align government food purchases with local agricultural production and strengthen agricultural value chains.

(NAN)