By OBSERVERS TIMES
In a move to tackle corruption in procurement processes, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) announced on Monday that it will launch the National Procurement Certification Programme (NPCP) on Wednesday.
Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director General of the BPP, made the announcement during a briefing with journalists in Abuja. He described the NPCP as a landmark initiative that represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s procurement reform journey, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, which emphasizes transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
“The Nigeria Procurement Certification Programme is a major achievement in our efforts to professionalize and standardize procurement certification in Nigeria,” Dr. Adedokun stated. “The NPCP is a pioneering initiative that will provide a centralized digital platform for the training, assessment, and certification of procurement professionals across both the public and private sectors.”
He added that the program underscores the Bureau’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, ensuring value for money in public and private spending, and reinforcing dedication to transparency and excellence.
The BPP has collaborated with civil society organizations (CSOs) and professional bodies to ensure that the NPCP meets the needs of all stakeholders. Dr. Adedokun emphasized that this collaborative approach will help build a competent and ethical procurement workforce capable of driving sustainable development and growth.
When asked whether the program would effectively address corruption in the procurement process, the BPP DG responded, “This program is the first of its kind to include components that require participants to commit to ethical standards. Every year, procurement officers enrolled in this program must undertake an ethics practice test to demonstrate their ethical soundness in performing procurement activities within the public sector.”
He further explained, “By signing an oath of ethical conduct, participants are held accountable; violations of the principles of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and value for money can be used against them.”
The NPCP is expected to be a crucial step in enhancing the integrity of Nigeria’s procurement processes and fostering a culture of ethical behavior among procurement professionals.
