The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP, Adebowale Adedokun, has warned Nigerian foreign missions to strictly comply with the country’s procurement laws in all financial dealings abroad.
Speaking during an induction programme for ambassador-designates at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Adedokun said all Nigerian foreign missions remain federal procuring entities bound by the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007.
According to him, every procurement process involving goods, works, or services must comply with principles of due process, transparency, competition, accountability, and value for money.
The BPP Director-General stressed that heads of missions serve as accounting officers and are responsible for ensuring that public funds are utilized in line with financial regulations and procurement laws.
“So long as it is public fund, it must be used in line with the financial regulations and Public Procurement Act,” he said.
Adedokun further explained that procurement activities must be properly planned, backed by approved budgets, and cleared through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while adherence to approved procurement thresholds remains mandatory.
Describing procurement as a vital tool for good governance, he said it plays a critical role in ensuring quality service delivery and timely execution of projects.
He advised foreign mission officials to prioritize regular training and ensure contractors are engaged through written endorsements rather than verbal agreements.
The DG also emphasized that all contractors must satisfy mandatory eligibility requirements before being considered for government contracts.
Highlighting ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Adedokun referenced policies promoting Made-in-Nigeria products through the Nigeria First Policy, as well as affirmative procurement initiatives targeting women, youths, SMEs, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
He also mentioned the implementation of a Debarment Policy aimed at sanctioning fraudulent contractors and a Community-Based Procurement initiative designed to drive grassroots development projects.
“Procurement creates legacies that define your contribution to humanity,” Adedokun told the ambassador-designates.
The induction programme was organized for newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners ahead of their foreign postings.