A Transformative visit: CIPS CEO Ben Farrell catalyses procurement reform in Nigeria, By Ikagbemi Modupe-Adeniyi

In what can only be described as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s public procurement landscape, the June 2, 2025, visit of Mr Ben Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), has ignited a powerful wave of optimism, reform, and professional momentum across key government institutions in Abuja.

Mr. Farrell’s visit was more than ceremonial: it was catalytic. At the heart of the activities was the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CIPS and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Nigeria’s apex regulatory authority on public procurement. The agreement, sealed in a high-level meeting with the savvy and debonair BPP Director General Dr Adebowale Adedokun, represents a monumental step in the professionalisation of procurement in Nigeria’s public sector.

The MoU establishes a strategic alliance rooted in ethics, capacity building, and global best practices, one that promises to reshape procurement governance in Nigeria for generations. With a focus on local content, skills development, and transparency, the agreement also reflects a strong alignment with the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy. It sends a clear message that the days of transactional procurement are giving way to a new era of value-driven, development-oriented public service delivery.

Mr Farrell’s engagement with key national institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and senior government officials, reinforced the breadth and depth of CIPS’ commitment to Nigeria’s reform journey. Each meeting served not only to highlight sector-specific challenges but also to chart collaborative pathways toward solutions that prioritise efficiency, professionalism, and sustainable impact. Through this visit, Mr. Farrell has reaffirmed CIPS’ role as a trusted global partner in Nigeria’s pursuit of procurement excellence.

The MoU is not just another bureaucratic agreement; it is a bold blueprint for systemic reform. It aligns Nigeria’s procurement practices with internationally recognised standards, emphasises ethical integrity, and paves the way for the expansion of professional certification and competency-based training throughout Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

With CIPS serving as a trusted advisor under its Royal Charter, the partnership introduces a long-overdue structure to procurement education, practice, and governance. Through the adoption of CIPS’ globally acclaimed Code of Ethics and targeted capacity-building interventions, the Nigerian procurement workforce is poised to enter a new era of transparency, efficiency, and performance.

Crucially, the partnership also seeks to institutionalise procurement as a recognised profession within Nigeria’s civil service architecture. By increasing the number of certified procurement professionals across MDAs and establishing communities of practice and leadership forums, the MoU lays the groundwork for a robust ecosystem where strategic procurement is not only supported but championed at the highest levels. This systemic shift will enhance decision-making, reduce procurement-related risks, and ultimately lead to improved service delivery and better public sector outcomes.

Mr. Farrell’s itinerary underscored CIPS’ commitment to delivering impact across sectors. At the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), he held discussions with Chief Supply Chain Officer Mr. Isokariari and his team, focusing on collaborative certification, capacity development, and inclusive access to procurement education, particularly for junior professionals. The meeting acknowledged Harley Reed’s role as a partner and expressed hope for expanded partnerships in Nigeria’s all-important oil and gas sector.

At the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Farrell’s meeting with Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack reflected deep alignment with ongoing federal reform agendas. Notably, he received an invitation to speak at the upcoming Civil Servants’ Conference, a recognition of the increasing centrality of procurement in the discourse of good governance.
Further engagements with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, reinforced the cross-sectoral relevance of procurement reform. Discussions with these top government officials highlighted the transformative potential of CIPS-supported initiatives in improving health outcomes, institutional efficiency, and public trust.

Taken together, these engagements demonstrate that procurement is no longer a back-office function but a strategic lever for national development. Mr. Farrell’s visit has not only elevated the visibility of procurement professionals but also catalysed a renewed sense of urgency around reform. With CIPS now firmly embedded in Nigeria’s reform ecosystem, the path is clear for a professionalised, ethical, and globally competitive procurement system, one that can unlock value, drive transparency, and support the delivery of critical services to millions of Nigerians.

Beyond the symbolism, the June 2 engagements mark the actualisation of a vision long desired by reformists in Nigeria’s procurement ecosystem: the creation of a professionalised, ethical, and development-oriented procurement workforce. With CIPS now an embedded partner, there is renewed hope that systemic inefficiencies, poor accountability, and the underutilisation of indigenous capacity in procurement can be decisively addressed.

Mr. Farrell’s visit has not only cemented CIPS’ reputation as a global thought leader in procurement but has also confirmed Nigeria’s readiness to embrace reform. The strategic alliances formed across institutions during the visit suggest that the foundations laid are not fleeting but rather the beginning of a lasting transformation.

In an age where procurement shapes policy outcomes and development impact, Nigeria has made a timely pivot. Thanks to the leadership of Mr. Ben Farrell and the commitment of national stakeholders, the future of public procurement in Nigeria looks not just promising but world-class.

The momentum generated by Mr. Farrell’s visit also opens new avenues for innovation, including the adoption of digital procurement systems, sustainability frameworks, and agile procurement methodologies that can respond to the country’s dynamic development needs. With CIPS providing the tools, training, and international linkages, Nigeria is now strategically positioned to lead procurement reform across the African continent, setting a benchmark for transparency, professionalism, and results-based governance.

As the dust settles on this historic visit, what remains is a compelling narrative of partnership, purpose, and progress. Mr Farrell’s engagements have rekindled national confidence in the power of strategic procurement to drive change. With the MoU as a cornerstone and a shared commitment to reform as its engine, Nigeria and CIPS have embarked on a journey that will shape the country’s future in lasting, measurable ways. The message is clear: Nigeria is not only ready for procurement transformation; it is leading it.

■ Modupe-Adeniyi is an Abuja based Public Affairs analyst.