Nigeria is intensifying efforts to improve transparency, accountability and professionalism in public procurement with support from the World Bank, as the government rolls out new reforms aimed at modernising procurement practices and strengthening oversight across the country.
The latest developments were highlighted during a meeting between the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and a mission from the World Bank-supported Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) programme.
According to a statement issued by the BPP, one of the major outcomes of the reforms is the approval of seven new zonal offices for the procurement agency, a move expected to expand its operational reach and improve monitoring of procurement activities nationwide.
The Director-General of the BPP, Adebowale Adedokun, said the government is also introducing sustainable procurement as a specialised field within the public service recruitment framework.
The initiative is designed to create structured career opportunities for graduates currently receiving procurement training at six SPESSE Centres of Excellence located across Nigeria.
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The participating institutions include Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, University of Lagos, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University and the University of Benin.
Adedokun said the programme would help equip a new generation of procurement professionals with the skills needed to support ongoing public sector reforms.
He explained that the government is seeking to build a stronger procurement workforce capable of ensuring efficiency, transparency and value for money in public spending.
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Nigeria has increasingly focused on procurement reforms as part of broader efforts to improve governance, reduce waste and strengthen confidence in public institutions.
The BPP is also working with stakeholders on the development of a National Procurement Strategic Framework and amendments to the Public Procurement Act of 2007, which serves as the legal foundation for procurement activities in the country.
Officials say the planned reforms are intended to modernise procurement processes and align them with international best practices.
Adedokun disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of seven zonal offices across Nigeria to deepen the bureau’s oversight functions and improve compliance monitoring.
The expansion is expected to bring procurement regulation closer to government agencies and institutions operating across different regions.
The bureau also reported progress in its efforts to professionalise procurement practice within the public sector.
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According to the BPP, at least 2,075 procurement officers have been verified under its certification programme, while 816 certification results have already been processed.
The certification initiative is aimed at ensuring that procurement officers possess the qualifications and expertise required to manage public procurement activities effectively.
Representing the World Bank, Ishtiak Siddique praised the progress achieved under the SPESSE programme, particularly in procurement certification, skills development and institutional capacity building.
He announced that additional verification exercises under the programme would begin in July as efforts continue to strengthen professional standards across the sector.
Siddique identified several areas of ongoing collaboration between the World Bank and Nigerian authorities, including the introduction of standard tender documents, procurement sustainability programmes, support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the implementation of electronic procurement systems.
He described electronic procurement as a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive to create a more transparent, efficient and accountable procurement environment.
Digital procurement systems are expected to improve oversight, reduce opportunities for corruption and streamline government purchasing processes.
Officials also reviewed progress on initiatives such as the National Procurement Officers Management System (NAPOMS) and the Nigeria Public Procurement Certification Programme (NPPCP).
The reforms reflect Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen public financial management and ensure that government resources are used more effectively.
With support from the World Bank and other development partners, authorities hope the modernisation of procurement systems will enhance transparency, improve service delivery and contribute to better governance outcomes across the country.
