THE Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), last Thursday celebrated the graduation of participants from the CIPS Level 4 Qualification Programme (Diploma in Procurement and Supply) in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, described the certification as a turning point for Nigeria’s procurement system.
“That is for me what this certificate means. Government or institutions will no longer lose value.
“The carrier of this certificate implies that our governments can close their eyes and rest assured that a group of people have gone through rigorous studies and ethical standards,” he said.
He added, “We are now a group of people who will say no to fake drugs, no to inflation of contract sums, and no to wrong prescriptions. People who dare to do differently are what this certificate means.”
Dr. Adedokun highlighted BPP’s recent reforms, including revised procurement thresholds, standardised health procurement documents, and sourcing strategy frameworks.
“We have issued a policy to standardise health sector performance and ensure quality, affordability, and value at all levels,” he said.
He also urged graduates to uphold integrity and ethics, noting that “BPP is your ally and your regulatory support system.”
He also announced plans to implement affirmative procurement policies that include women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Country Director of CIPS Nigeria, Chukwudi Uche, said the programme targeted professionals across eight states and national health institutions.
“We want to see improvements in availability and affordability of quality-assured health products,” he said. “Some states have recorded 40 to 50 per cent reductions in prices.”
He also emphasised the importance of strategic planning and capacity building. “Procurement officers now understand what to procure, when to procure, and how to support local manufacturers. This efficiency translates to better returns and improved access to health products.”
He noted that Nigeria’s procurement maturity was low when CIPS began its diagnostic exercise.
“Many challenges stem from weak capacity. If we strengthen the system and implement the existing law fully, we will be above average,” he said.
The event also made a call for all procurement officers to register with the National Procurement Officers Management System as part of efforts to professionalise and unify procurement practice across Nigeria.
