The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) have agreed to strengthen institutional collaboration, particularly in procurement certification programmes and capacity building.

This was disclosed in a statement by Ngozi Anyaelezu, a BPP spokeswoman, on Monday.

The agreement was reached when NOUN management, led by its vice-chancellor, Uduma Uduma, paid a courtesy visit to BPP director-general Adebowale Adedokun in Abuja.

The partnership will help improve operational synergy and enhance capacity building to support the effective delivery of NOUN’s national educational mandate.

Meanwhile, Mr Adedokun commended Mr Uduma for his knowledge, experience and vision, assuring that the bureau was committed to strengthening academic-industry partnership through strategic collaboration with the university.

The BPP boss said transforming public administration required equipping the next generation with practical skills and a strong national orientation.

According to him, partnering with NOUN aligns with the federal government’s efforts to promote homegrown educational platforms and professional certifications under President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First Policy.

He said the policy prioritised companies and services domiciled in Nigeria in implementing government programmes.

“Knowledge is key to translating national policy and achieving sustainable development. The bureau has a capacity-building section with a hybrid Sustainable Procurement Programme established in partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC), with support from the World Bank.

“The BPP is ready to partner with NOUN to establish hybrid study centres to further strengthen the Sustainable Public Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement programme approved by the federal government,” Mr Adedokun said.

Mr Uduma said partnering with the bureau would strengthen the university’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.

He stressed the university’s commitment to strict adherence to public procurement guidelines, noting that a robust partnership with the regulatory body would help streamline procurement processes, eliminate administrative bottlenecks and prevent project delays.

“To deliver on our mandate, our processes must be competitive, accountable and in compliance with public procurement rules,” he said.

The vice-chancellor proposed establishing and developing procurement certification programmes across the country, leveraging NOUN’s extensive network of study centres. He said the university’s mandate was to establish 774 study centres nationwide, adding that education remained critical to the sustainability and growth of the Nigerian economy.

Mr Uduma said that effective public procurement was vital to the university’s operational success, particularly as it expands its infrastructure and educational services across the country.

The two institutions also agreed on the need for a framework that would align NOUN’s expansion drive with public procurement regulations.

They said such a framework would be critical to expanding the university’s digital infrastructure, study centres and learning resources nationwide.

(NAN)