By Mercy Aikoye
The Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, has emphasized the agency’s commitment to strengthening its audit systems to combat corruption in Nigeria’s procurement system. He made this statement while defending the Bureau’s 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal before the Committee on Public Procurement.
Adedokun expressed concerns about the budgetary ceiling imposed on the agency, which he believes will hinder its ability to achieve its objectives. The Bureau had proposed a total budget of N72,775,250,713, but the Budget Office allocated a ceiling of N3,383,021,838, excluding personnel costs.
The agency’s 2024 budget performance showed that out of the allocated N2,234,785,641, only N2,110,061,164 was utilized. Adedokun noted that the capital allocation of N289,418,688 was inadequate to achieve meaningful reforms and effective contract administration. Furthermore, only N184,024,690 of the capital expenditure has been released so far.
The BPP’s 2025 budget focuses on addressing office accommodation challenges, monitoring and evaluating projects nationwide, implementing an electronic procurement system, and building capacity. Adedokun emphasized the need to intensify audit exercises, prevent misuse of funds, and leverage technology to enhance operations.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon Unyime Idem, acknowledged the agency’s concerns and assured that the committee would engage with the appropriation committee to address the funding inadequacies. Idem emphasized the importance of empowering the BPP to achieve good governance, improve procurement processes, and deliver the dividends of democracy.
Idem noted that the BPP’s actual needs amount to N72,775,250,713, highlighting critical needs such as functional office accommodation and upgraded digital infrastructure. He urged the agency to prioritize leveraging technology to enhance operations and ensure seamless and transparent public procurement processes.
The BPP remains committed to transforming the procurement space, reducing corruption and poverty, and increasing employment and industry. With adequate funding, the agency is confident in its ability to achieve its objectives and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP.
