The Bureau of Public Procurement has cautioned procurement officers in the public sector against obstructing ongoing procurement reforms, warning that those found guilty would face sanctions.
The Director-General of the Bureau, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, gave the warning in a statement issued by Zira Nagga, Head of Public Relations, BPP, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Nagga, the DG issued the warning during a strategic meeting with procurement officers on Grade Levels 08 to 14 under the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
In his keynote address titled “Driving Excellence through Transparency, Compliance, and Efficiency”, Adedokun reiterated the Bureau’s mission to make procurement in Nigeria transparent, accountable, efficient, and beneficial to all citizens.
He said the BPP would henceforth sanction procurement officers who mislead their chief executives on procurement matters.
He also warned that officers who lobby for postings would be denied such postings, adding that the bureau would recommend the suspension of salaries for those who fail to report to their offices.
Adedokun stated further that procurement officers who delay the processing of official documents would be sanctioned in line with the public service rules.
However, he assured that the BPP would stand by any procurement officer who performs their duties professionally.
“They are free to approach the bureau with their challenges for review and resolution,” he said.
Adedokun stressed that the Bureau remained committed to deepening transparency, compliance, and efficiency in the nation’s procurement process.
“The bureau will adhere to a 21-day timeline, as mandated by the Public Procurement Act 2007, within which its decisions on complaints by contractors will be visited,” he said.
“The BPP is required to review cases, issue a written decision within 21 working days of receiving the complaints, and state the corrective actions, reasons for rejection, or remedies granted.”
The DG also announced plans to streamline approval processes, standardise documentation, and automate workflows to promote timely and transparent procurement decisions.
He reaffirmed the BPP’s central role in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises good governance, accountability, and efficient service delivery.
Adedokun said the meeting focused on implementing the new procurement guidelines, revised service-wide monetary thresholds, and other key aspects of the ongoing reforms.
He pledged to make such meetings regular and disclosed that the BPP would soon convene another session with procurement officers across various procuring entities.
The meeting concluded with a call to action for all procurement professionals to maintain ethical standards, adopt innovation, and demonstrate steadfast dedication to national development through clear and effective service delivery.
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