The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, has called for stronger collaboration between the National Assembly and the Executive to end project abandonment, improve accountability, and ensure Nigerians receive value for every naira spent on public contracts.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Bureau’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Zira Zakka Nagga.
Speaking at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, Dr. Adedokun said public procurement should be treated as a strategic tool for national development rather than a routine administrative process.
The week-long event, themed “Three Years of the 10th National Assembly: Advancing Transparency, Inclusion and Reform,” brought together lawmakers, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organisations and development partners.
Addressing a panel on “Strengthening Legislative Oversight of Public Procurement for Value for Money,” the BPP DG identified weak planning, capacity gaps, poor audit collaboration and unrealistic budgeting—not just corruption—as major obstacles to successful project delivery.
“If we effectively use the existing legislation that you have passed, we will be able to achieve measurable results in how we deliver projects,” he said. “Procurement is a strategic tool. If well used, it will bring into the ecosystem the desired results for value for money.”
Budget Distortions and Misplaced Priorities
Dr. Adedokun cited the 2026 budget as an example, noting that many projects classified as ongoing were, in reality, not progressing. He also criticised the practice of assigning projects to MDAs that lack the technical expertise to execute them.
“You will find a road construction project captured under a ministry that has no technical competence to build a road. Already, you are doomed to fail,” he said.
He also questioned why the Federal Government continues to fund projects better suited for state and local governments.
“How do you explain that 52% of all government allocation goes to local governments and states? We are too focused on the federal, while the bulk of money today lies in the states and local governments. Why are we building a borehole at the federal level? Why are we constructing streetlights?” he asked.
Law Should Prevent Project Failures, Not Punish Officials After Office
The BPP boss condemned the award of contracts without proper planning, describing it as a violation of the Public Procurement Act 2007. He urged lawmakers to ensure projects are included in approved development plans before funds are appropriated.
“Projects should not even be approved unless they are in an approved plan. Where is that final, approved plan?” he queried.
He recalled a previous system that required MDAs to present performance reports before defending fresh budget proposals, saying it improved transparency and fiscal discipline.
Dr. Adedokun also warned that accountability should begin while officials are still in office.
“The law often sleeps while you are in power and only wakes up after your tenure. Why don’t you prevent that by ensuring that both the legislature and executive collaborate in the appropriation process?” he said.
Capacity, Monitoring and Funding Challenges
The BPP DG identified the frequent turnover of lawmakers as a challenge, stressing the need for continuous training on procurement laws and oversight responsibilities.
He also noted that the Bureau cannot monitor every project nationwide alone and called on civil society organisations, which are legally empowered to observe bid openings, to play a more active role.
On project financing, he urged the government to align funding with project timelines instead of spreading long-term projects across inadequate annual budgets.
“You see a project that should last three years having funding for only one year. We are putting ourselves in a very difficult situation,” he said.
Reforms to Strengthen Procurement
Dr. Adedokun disclosed that the Bureau is implementing 23 major reforms covering e-Procurement, price intelligence, contractor registration and sustainable procurement.
He said all MDAs have been directed to include provisions for Persons with Disabilities in procurement documents, in line with existing legislation.
He added that sustainability has become a key requirement, with MDAs now expected to demonstrate how proposed contracts will create jobs and support businesses before they receive approval.
“We can pull through with support from the parliament,” he said. “The Bureau is ready to work with the National Assembly to end project abandonment and restore public trust through improved project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.”
The BPP also used the 2026 National Assembly Open Week to showcase its ongoing reforms and obtain feedback from lawmakers on bottlenecks in the procurement system ahead of the planned amendment of the Public Procurement Act 2007.
“Collectively, in the next couple of months, together we can make those changes,” Dr. Adedokun said.
