The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, has urged Federal Government agencies to strictly adhere to established procurement procedures to ensure effective service delivery, value for money, and end-user satisfaction.
Dr. Adedokun made the call on Wednesday while addressing participants at a retreat organised by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Abuja.
The retreat was designed to equip officers of the authority with fundamental knowledge of public procurement principles, approval processes, and strategies for preventing procurement-related offences. It also focused on promoting fairness, transparency, value for money, and compliance with regulatory frameworks governing public procurement.
Speaking during the session, the BPP Director-General emphasized that strengthening procurement capacity across government institutions is critical to safeguarding public resources and ensuring the efficient delivery of essential services, particularly in the healthcare sector.
According to him, procurement serves as a vital link between government and citizens, enabling the delivery of projects and services that meet public expectations.
“Procurement connects citizens with the government to deliver value and ensure end-user satisfaction,” Adedokun stated.
He described procurement as an important tool for good governance, noting that it plays a key role in ensuring quality service delivery, transparency, accountability, and timely execution of government projects.
The BPP boss stressed the importance of conducting comprehensive needs assessments before the commencement of any procurement process, explaining that proper planning remains the foundation of successful procurement outcomes.
He further noted that all procurement activities must be adequately planned and supported by approved budgets, while strict adherence to approved procurement thresholds remains mandatory for all government agencies.
Adedokun also highlighted key procurement principles designed to ensure that public procurement processes remain competitive, equitable, transparent, and aligned with the broader public interest.
He explained the roles and responsibilities of approving authorities within the procurement chain, emphasizing the need for officers to understand and comply with established approval procedures to avoid violations and administrative sanctions.
The Director-General warned against common procurement infractions such as bid rigging, conflict of interest, and unauthorized contract variations, describing them as practices that undermine transparency and accountability in public administration.
He clarified that the approval of contract variations falls under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Public Procurement, except in exceptional circumstances provided for by existing regulations.
Adedokun further reiterated the importance of transparency in contract administration, directing that all government contracts should be uploaded to the websites of both the procuring entity and the Bureau of Public Procurement. He added that monthly and quarterly procurement activity reports must also be published on both platforms.
Participants at the retreat described the session as a valuable capacity-building exercise that reinforced their understanding of procurement best practices and regulatory requirements.
The training highlighted the critical role of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public procurement as essential pillars of good governance and effective public service.