FG reaffirms zero tolerance for procurement fraud, as DG BPP unveils strategic reforms at International industry summit

Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, has reiterated the Federal Government’s firm commitment to eradicating procurement fraud and deepening transparency across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Adedokun, who was represented by the Director, Civil Infrastructure Department, Engr. Nasir Bello, stated that procurement fraud remained a direct attack on public trust and national development.

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He made the declaration while delivering a keynote address at the maiden Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management International Industry Summit held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna.

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The three-day event, from 2nd–4th December, 2025, according a press release by Zira Zakka Nagga, Head of Press and Public Relations (BPP) was themed “Advancing Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain through Research, Certification and Industry Collaboration,” gathered government officials, academics, industry experts and professional bodies to explore innovative strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s procurement system.

Adedokun commended Kaduna State University and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority for championing a timely initiative aimed at entrenching value-for-money principles in public expenditure.

Highlighting the forms of procurement fraud prevalent in Nigeria including bid rigging, collusion, inflated contracts, ghost projects and falsification of documents, he warned that the consequences were financial, social and psychological, eroding citizens’ confidence in governance.

He stressed that procurement fraud undermined infrastructure delivery and development outcomes, adding that Nigeria “cannot afford to postpone this fight.”

He outlined ongoing reforms designed to strengthen compliance, enhance price intelligence and professionalise the procurement workforce, noting that through digital monitoring tools, particularly the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO), the Federal Government saved over N173 billion between January and June 2025, demonstrating the impact of data-driven regulation.

He also identified the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers and the institutionalisation of the procurement cadre as critical mechanisms for reducing discretion and improving accountability.

Adedokun highlighted the Bureau’s four-pillar approach to preventing procurement fraud, namely

●Regulatory Strengthening and Digitalisation including automation, e-payment integration and reduction of human interference.

●Capacity Building and Professional Certification with over 8,000 officers trained under the World Bank-supported SPESSE Programme across six Centres of Excellence.

●Collaboration and Information Sharing through joint oversight with the EFCC, ICPC, Office of the Auditor-General and professional bodies.

●Civic Engagement and Whistleblower Protection with expanded reporting channels and stronger protection frameworks.

He emphasised that the Summit’s focus on research, certification and collaboration represented the most effective tools against procurement malpractice. Research helps us detect evolving fraud patterns.

“Certification builds a community of competent practitioners. Collaboration unites government, industry, academia, and development partners against procurement abuse,” he noted.

Adedokun urged all stakeholders, including MDAs, professional bodies, private sector participants, academia and development partners to remain committed to transparency, ethical practices and evidence-based reforms.

“The fight against procurement fraud is a fight for Nigeria’s progress. With integrity, innovation and collective resolve, we will build a procurement system our nation can trust,” he stated.