By Peter Omopo
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has cautioned procurement officers across the public sector against obstructing ongoing procurement reforms, warning that any officer found guilty of such acts will face strict disciplinary measures.
The Director-General of the BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, issued the warning during a strategic meeting with procurement officers on Grade Levels 08 to 14 under the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, held in Abuja on Monday.
According to a statement signed by Zira Nagga, Head of Public Relations at the BPP, Dr. Adedokun’s keynote address titled “Driving Excellence through Transparency, Compliance, and Efficiency” reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s procurement system remains transparent, accountable, and beneficial to all citizens.
The BPP boss stated that procurement officers who mislead their chief executives on due process or delay official documents would be sanctioned in line with the Public Service Rules. He also announced that officers who lobby for postings will be denied such placements, and those who fail to report to duty would have their salaries suspended.
“The bureau will not hesitate to sanction erring officers,” Adedokun said. “However, we will defend any procurement officer who performs their duties professionally and in accordance with the law.”
He encouraged officers facing challenges in their work to approach the bureau for review and resolution rather than compromise professional standards.
Dr. Adedokun further disclosed that the BPP would strictly adhere to the 21-day decision timeline mandated by the Public Procurement Act 2007 for reviewing complaints from contractors, adding that the bureau would issue written decisions within the stipulated period, including corrective actions or remedies granted.
He announced plans to streamline approval processes, standardise documentation, and automate workflows to ensure more efficient and transparent procurement operations.
Highlighting the bureau’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Adedokun said the reforms are aimed at strengthening good governance, accountability, and service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies.
He added that the BPP would continue to engage procurement officers regularly and would soon convene another meeting with officers serving in various procuring entities.
The meeting concluded with a call for all procurement professionals to uphold ethical standards, embrace innovation, and contribute actively to national development through integrity and efficiency in public service.
