The Centre for Public Accountability (CPA) has expressed strong confidence in the ongoing reforms at the Bureau of Public Procurement, describing the agency as one of the most transformed public institutions in Nigeria and a model for innovation in public sector governance.
The endorsement was contained in the organisation’s Independent Service Delivery Assessment Report presented at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday.
Speaking on the findings, Olufemi Lawson, Executive Director of CPA, said the Bureau under the leadership of Adebowale Adedokun had demonstrated a remarkable commitment to modernising Nigeria’s procurement system and aligning it with international best practices.
According to Lawson, the assessment involved months of stakeholder consultations, policy reviews, institutional observations and outcome-based evaluations.
“Public procurement remains one of the most critical components of governance globally. It is through procurement that governments execute projects, deliver infrastructure, provide social services and stimulate economic growth,” Lawson stated.
He noted that Nigeria’s procurement system had historically been plagued by challenges such as contract inflation, abuse of due process, weak oversight, contractor fraud and bureaucratic inefficiencies. However, CPA’s findings showed that the current leadership of the Bureau had introduced significant reforms aimed at addressing those longstanding concerns.
One of the key reforms highlighted in the report was the revision of procurement thresholds and operational guidelines, which the organisation said had reduced bureaucratic delays, accelerated procurement timelines and improved efficiency across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
CPA also commended the Bureau’s introduction of revised Standard Bidding Documents, describing the initiative as a major step towards improving transparency, promoting fair competition and ensuring procedural uniformity in public procurement.
“The deployment of clear and standardised bidding templates has enhanced competition among contractors, strengthened accountability and reduced opportunities for manipulation and abuse within the procurement process,” Lawson said.
The organisation further praised the implementation of the Nigeria First Policy Framework, which prioritises local content development and provides opportunities for indigenous businesses, women-owned enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises.
According to CPA, the policy has the potential to stimulate industrial growth, expand economic inclusion and create employment opportunities across the country.
The report identified the National Debarment Policy as one of the most significant reforms introduced by the Bureau.
“For the first time in Nigeria’s procurement history, there now exists an enforceable sanctions regime designed to address the activities of non-performing, fraudulent and unethical contractors,” Lawson stated.
CPA also applauded the restoration of administrative mobility for procurement officers to the Bureau, saying the measure had strengthened professionalism, improved compliance and enhanced institutional independence.
On contract administration, the organisation praised the policy requiring all contract variations to receive Bureau approval before implementation.
“This reform addresses one of the longstanding loopholes in public procurement where arbitrary and inflated contract variations often resulted in massive cost escalations on government projects,” Lawson explained.
The report further highlighted the Bureau’s digital transformation initiatives, particularly the migration to electronic procurement submissions.
According to CPA, the digitisation process has reduced physical bottlenecks, limited human interference, improved efficiency and curtailed opportunities for corruption within the procurement system.
Another major achievement identified in the assessment was the establishment of the Price Intelligence Unit and digital benchmarking framework, which CPA said had generated savings exceeding ₦1.1 trillion through real-time price verification and the elimination of inflated quotations.
“We consider the Price Intelligence and Benchmarking System one of the strongest anti-corruption mechanisms introduced within Nigeria’s public procurement framework in recent years,” Lawson remarked.
The organisation also acknowledged the creation of a comprehensive database and classification system for contractors, consultants and service providers, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening procurement integrity and transparency.
In the area of capacity building, CPA noted that more than 4,000 procurement officers had participated in structured training programmes, while over 2,700 officers had obtained certification under the National Procurement Certification Programme.
Lawson said the Bureau’s efforts had contributed significantly to improving competence and professionalism across Nigeria’s public procurement sector.
The report further recognised initiatives such as the National Procurement Officers Management System (NAPOMS), affirmative procurement programmes for women, youths and persons with disabilities, as well as sector-specific procurement frameworks covering information technology, roads, healthcare and food procurement.
CPA particularly commended the proposed Food Procurement Framework for schools, hospitals and Internally Displaced Persons camps, noting that it would improve accountability, quality assurance and value for money.
The organisation also praised the Bureau’s participation in the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS), describing it as evidence of the agency’s commitment to international benchmarking and continuous institutional improvement.
Additionally, the report highlighted ongoing efforts to amend the Public Procurement Act 2007, which CPA believes will further strengthen sanctions, institutionalise digital procurement and align Nigeria’s procurement framework with evolving global standards.
Lawson called on the National Assembly to expedite consideration of the proposed amendments in the national interest.
The organisation also cited the Bureau’s successful defence of Nigeria’s procurement system in international legal disputes, including the European Dynamics case, as evidence of its commitment to protecting national interests.
Based on its overall findings, CPA passed a vote of confidence on the management of the Bureau of Public Procurement and urged stakeholders to support the ongoing reforms.
“While challenges remain within Nigeria’s broader procurement ecosystem, available evidence clearly indicates that the current leadership of the Bureau has demonstrated vision, reform-mindedness, institutional courage and an unwavering commitment to strengthening transparency and accountability in public procurement administration,” Lawson said.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to independent monitoring and evidence-based assessments aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and improved governance outcomes across Nigeria’s public sector.
