● DG Adedokun: “Government has provided policy of debarment to sanction contractors nationally and globally”
The Bureau of Public Procurement has announced plans to blacklist contractors who violate procurement rules, as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and curb abuses in public contracting nationwide.
BPP Director-General Adebowale Adedokun disclosed this Thursday in Abuja during the inaugural Procurement Evolution Day held to mark 19 years of procurement reforms in Nigeria.
—Debarment policy goes global—
Adedokun said the bureau had introduced a debarment policy that would sanction and blacklist defaulting contractors both within and outside Nigeria.
“The government has indeed provided a policy of debarment to strictly sanction any contractors nationally and globally,” he said.
The BPP boss said the measure forms part of a wider reform agenda to improve transparency, enforce compliance and protect public resources.
He disclosed the bureau recently received direct approval to handle cases involving contract violations and fraudulent claims, while strengthening collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, CSOs and professional bodies.
—14-day standstill, monthly contract publication—
Adedokun said BPP introduced a 14-working-day standstill period to resolve contractual disputes before projects proceed to execution. “We’ve now provided a standstill period of 14 working days, wherein all issues in contractual disputes must be resolved,” he stated.
He added that all MDAs will be required to publish contract awards monthly on their websites and on BPP’s portal, and submit quarterly performance reports.
“In order to ensure projects are implemented in accordance with the terms of contracts, we have agreed that all MDAs must publish all contracts on their websites and on the website of BPP every month and must forward quarterly reports,” he said.
—Digital shift, Nigeria First policy—
The DG said BPP deployed digital platforms to automate procurement and phase out hard-copy submissions.
“In the last one year, we no longer receive hard copies of requests. Now, it is direct transmission digitally to the Bureau of Public Procurement,” he noted. Over 4,000 procurement officers have been registered in a centralised database for oversight.
Adedokun said the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy is being expanded to prioritise indigenous businesses in automobiles, textiles, IT, renewable energy and agriculture.
The bureau also developed policies to reserve portions of government procurement for women-owned businesses, startups, vulnerable groups and local communities.
Procurement officers now operate under stricter accountability after career management returned to BPP, with sanctions for breaches of the Public Procurement Act.
Former BPP DG Dr Emeka Ezeh, guest speaker at the event, urged government to strengthen contract management and enforce sanctions.
He warned that delays in contract payments often increase project costs as contractors factor inflation and payment risks into bids.
