SPESSE 2-Day Workshop | University of Benin, Edo State
Driving Procurement Beyond Contract Award: DG BPP Charts New Course for Professional Excellence
University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State – May 2025
The University of Benin hosted a landmark event in Nigeria’s procurement reform journey. Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), delivered a pivotal address at the SPESSE 2-Day Procurement Workshop, themed “Driving Procurement Beyond Contract Award.”
Organized under the auspices of the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental, and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project, and supported by the World Bank, the event brought together procurement professionals, academics, public officials, and industry stakeholders from across the country.
Key Highlights from the DG’s Presentation
Procurement as a Strategic Driver of National Development
Dr. Adedokun emphasized the strategic role of procurement in achieving Nigeria’s economic development and good governance goals. “Procurement is no longer a transactional activity. It is central to national transformation and must be driven by skill, transparency, and professionalism,” he said.
Strengthened Collaboration with SPESSE
Dr. Adedokun reaffirmed BPP’s commitment to the SPESSE project, which aims to develop a robust cadre of procurement, environmental, and social standards professionals through university-industry collaboration.
Workshop Impact
Participants engaged in hands-on sessions, case studies, and discussions on advancing procurement practices beyond the award phase, focusing on contract execution, monitoring, and performance evaluation.
The event underscored the urgent need to professionalize procurement, reduce leakages, and improve service delivery outcomes across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
In the Words of the DG:
“Professionalizing procurement is no longer optional—it is a necessity. With initiatives like SPESSE and the NPCP, Nigeria is taking a bold step toward transparent, efficient, and accountable procurement systems.”
