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Thursday, February 13, 2025

Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Procurement Claims It Has Saved Country ₦1.9 Trillion

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ABUJA, Nigeria – The Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, has announced that it has saved the nation ₦1.9 trillion over the past 17 years by combating contract fraud and inefficiencies.

Despite these achievements, the agency now faces significant funding and operational challenges that threaten its ability to sustain its impact.

BPP’s Financial Impact

The announcement was made by BPP Director-General Dr. Adebowale Adedokun during the Bureau’s 2025 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Public Procurement on Thursday.

He highlighted the Bureau’s pivotal role in enhancing transparency and efficiency in public procurement since its establishment in 2007.

“BPP has fundamentally reshaped public procurement in Nigeria by enforcing transparency, fairness, and efficiency in contract awards and execution. We’ve saved the nation an average of ₦40 billion annually from inflated contracts and diversion of funds,” Dr. Adedokun said.

He credited the Bureau’s oversight processes with boosting revenue for agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Pension Commission (PENCOM) by curbing financial leakages.

Operational Challenges

Despite its successes, the BPP is grappling with significant funding shortfalls. Dr. Adedokun revealed that the Bureau requested ₦63.5 billion in capital expenditure for 2025 but was allocated just ₦1.57 billion.

“This shortfall will severely limit our ability to address critical operational issues such as replacing outdated monitoring vehicles purchased in 2008, resolving staff accommodation challenges, and rolling out the long-awaited e-procurement program,” he warned.

The BPP’s limited workforce further compounds its challenges. With only 158 employees, the Bureau is responsible for monitoring contracts across more than 800 government agencies.

Senate’s Concerns

The Senate Committee on Public Procurement, chaired by Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (APC, Ondo North), acknowledged the Bureau’s funding and staffing challenges, describing the situation as untenable.

“It’s unrealistic to expect the Bureau to deliver optimal results with such a lean workforce,” Senator Ipinsagba remarked.

He urged the BPP to include plans for staff recruitment in its 2025 budget proposal to enhance its operational capacity.

Future Prospects

The BPP’s track record underscores its importance in Nigeria’s fight against corruption and public sector inefficiency.

However, its ability to continue delivering results depends on adequate funding and resources.

As Nigeria faces fiscal challenges, prioritising the Bureau’s capacity to safeguard public funds could be critical to the country’s economic recovery and development.

The Senate Committee is expected to deliberate further on how to address the BPP’s resource constraints in the coming weeks.

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