The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) is set to train an additional 350 procurement officers starting in January 2026. This announcement was made by the Director-General of the BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Mandatory Continuous Procurement Capacity Development Training Programme (MCPCDTP) at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Centre for Skills Development in Rivers State. The initiative aims to enhance the professionalism of procurement practices in Nigeria, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Adedokun highlighted the importance of this training program, which has just completed its first batch of 350 officers. He described the initiative as crucial in redefining procurement as a strategic tool for national development rather than a means for personal gain. “We need to build a new generation of procurement officers committed to transparency and national service,” he stated.
Nigeria faces a significant shortfall in well-trained procurement professionals. Dr. Adedokun emphasized the need for capacity building across government agencies, stating that procurement lags behind other professions such as law and accounting. He expressed determination to address this gap through the upcoming training sessions.
Focus on National Development and Transparency
According to Dr. Adedokun, the program is designed to cultivate officers who are dedicated to improving the country’s procurement processes. He expressed a vision for a cadre of professionals who are “angry about the failures of the current system” and are committed to doing things correctly. The BPP aims to ensure that procurement practices contribute to nation-building rather than personal enrichment.
The 2025 training program is noted as the best-organized and most secure since its inception. Dr. Adedokun credited the effective collaboration between the BPP and the PTDF for this success. Participants received insights into ongoing procurement reforms, including the Nigeria First Policy, digitalization in procurement, and community-based procurement initiatives.
Dr. Adedokun also stressed the importance of supporting locally assembled vehicles and made-in-Nigeria products, highlighting that procurement decisions significantly impact job creation, revenue generation, and overall economic growth. He is optimistic that the newly trained officers will enhance project delivery across government agencies by ensuring fairness, quality control, and strict adherence to due process.
As the BPP prepares for the next training cycle, Dr. Adedokun’s vision reflects a commitment to transforming procurement into a vital component of national development strategy, reinforcing the need for a transparent and efficient public sector.
