PPAN slams CIPSMN over baseless allegations

The Procurement Professionals Association of Nigeria (PPAN) has expressed its disappointment and concern over the recent baseless allegations made by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) against the association and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

In a statement signed by Engr. Ibrahim Abu, Interim Secretary of PPAN, the association described the allegations as “reckless and misleading” and a “rehash of the same baseless allegations and falsehood” that were thoroughly discredited in 2013.

● PPAN’s legitimacy questioned

CIPSMN had claimed that PPAN was deregistered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) over a decade ago.

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However, PPAN has rubbished this claim, stating that it is a legally registered, not-for-profit, multi-disciplinary professional association recognized under Nigerian law.

The association challenged CIPSMN to produce any recent CAC letter or court ruling affirming such deregistration, stating that none exists.

*● Collaboration with BPP

PPAN also clarified that its collaboration with the BPP is legitimate and aimed at promoting professionalism, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s procurement system.

The association on Saturday invited the BPP to a Special Meeting/Workshop on “Ongoing Reforms in Public Procurement”, which featured the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, as the keynote speaker.

● CIPSMN’s history of hostility

PPAN accused CIPSMN of having a history of hostility and misrepresentation, stating that the institute has consistently chosen confrontation over collaboration and has refused to participate constructively in procurement reform activities.

The association called on CIPSMN to desist from its recurring pattern of misinformation and unprofessional conduct.

● Commitment to National Development

PPAN reaffirmed its commitment to building professional capacity, strengthening institutional collaboration, and supporting the federal government’s ongoing reforms in public procurement. The association urged CIPSMN to join forces with other stakeholders to promote professionalism, transparency, and accountability in the procurement sector.

*A Call for Professional Decorum*

PPAN called on the leadership of CIPSMN to desist from its divisive rhetoric and embrace collaboration in the national interest.

The association also urged well-meaning members of CIPSMN to rise above the institute’s unprofessional conduct and work towards promoting the development of the procurement profession in Nigeria.

The PPAN statement is published in extenso here under:

RE: CIPSMN’S BASELESS ALLEGATION AGAINST THE PROCUREMENT PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (PPAN) AND THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (BPP)

The attention of the Procurement Professionals Association of Nigeria (PPAN) has been drawn to yet another reckless and misleading online publication credited to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) and titled “CIPSMN Raises Alarm Over BPP’s Collaboration with Deregistered Procurement Association”, published on October 17, 2025.

This latest media attack by the CIPSMN is nothing but a rehash of the same baseless allegations and falsehood they peddled in 2013 — which were thoroughly discredited in our detailed rebuttal at the time. It is unfortunate that, twelve years later, the same group continues to recycle lies, misinform the public, and attempt to undermine legitimate professional associations and government institutions that are working tirelessly to strengthen Nigeria’s procurement system.

1. On the False Claim of Deregistration

PPAN is a legally registered, not-for-profit, multi-disciplinary professional association
recognized under Nigerian law. Our registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) remains valid, and we have never been deregistered.

The claim by CIPSMN that the CAC “deregistered” PPAN over a decade ago is a deliberate falsehood meant to mislead the public and embarrass the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). We challenge CIPSMN to produce any recent CAC letter or court ruling affirming such deregistration.

None exists.

As was clearly stated in our 2013 open letter, PPAN was duly registered and inaugurated to bring together professionals across engineering, law, finance, and the social sciences involved in public and private procurement, to promote excellence, ethics, and best practices.

Our existence is a constitutional exercise of the right to freedom of association as guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

2. PPAN is Not a Competitor to CIPSMN

PPAN is not an institute, and we have never claimed to be. We are a professional association, similar in standing to the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),

Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), etc., which coexist alongside their respective statutory regulatory councils or institutes (e.g., COREN, NJC, MDCN).

CIPSMN’s Act of 2007 empowers it only to register and discipline its members within the narrow confines of purchasing and supply management.

It does not grant CIPSMN monopoly over the broader, multi-disciplinary field of public procurement, which is clearly governed by the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007, establishing the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) as the apex regulatory body for public procurement in Nigeria.

Therefore, PPAN’s collaboration with the BPP, the Presidency, or any public body if and when we do, will be and is entirely legitimate and consistent with our professional mandate to promote capacitybuilding, transparency, and value-for-money in public procurement.

3. On the BPP–PPAN Collaboration

The ongoing partnership between PPAN and BPP, including the upcoming Special Meeting/Workshop on “Ongoing Reforms in Public Procurement”, is a credible, forward-looking professional engagement aimed at supporting the Federal Government’s procurement reform agenda. And the event will proceed as scheduled despite the shenanigans of people like CIPSMN.

The participation of the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, as keynote speaker is both appropriate and commendable.

PPAN stands firmly with the BPP and other reform-minded agencies committed to deepening professionalism, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s procurement system.

4. CIPSMN’s History of Hostility and Misrepresentation

It is on record that since 2007, CIPSMN has consistently chosen confrontation over collaboration —attacking successive DGs of BPP, maligning professional bodies like ours, and refusing to participate constructively in procurement reform activities.

Professional maturity demands engagement, not slander. The continuous resort to blackmail and falsehood by CIPSMN will only diminish its credibility and isolate it further from genuine reform partners in Nigeria’s procurement landscape.

5. PPAN’s Commitment to National Development

PPAN remains committed to building professional capacity, strengthening institutional collaboration, and supporting the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in public procurement.

We shall continue to:

• Partner with the BPP and other regulatory institutions to advance procurement excellence.

• Promote ethical practice, transparency, and accountability.

• Create opportunities for young professionals to engage meaningfully in the procurement value chain.

6. A Call for Professional Decorum

We urge the leadership of CIPSMN to desist from its recurring pattern of misinformation and unprofessional conduct. If there are genuine concerns regarding mandates or collaboration, the proper avenue is through the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment (CIPSMN’s supervising ministry) or the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for legal interpretation — not through media propaganda.

We also call on well-meaning members of CIPSMN to rise above this divisive rhetoric and embrace collaboration in the national interest.

Signed:
Engr. Ibrahim Abu, MNSE, MPPAN
Interim Secretary
For Procurement Professionals Association of Nigeria (PPAN)
Abuja – October 18, 2025