Public Procurement: Nigerian Senate Emphasizes Strict Compliance, Transparency

By Iyojo Ameh

The Nigerian Senate, through its Committee on Public Procurement, has reiterated the need to make Nigeria’s procurement processes more transparent and strictly compliant with established procedures.

It stressed that public procurement in the country must embody transparency and efficiency to guarantee value for money, ensuring that every naira spent results in tangible, verifiable projects nationwide.

These observations were made by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North), during his address at a two-day retreat organized for committee members at Fraser Suites, Abuja, by LeadBold Resource Consulting.

According to Senator Ipinsagba, “Public procurement is not merely a technical or administrative activity; it is the mechanism through which government policies are transformed into tangible services, infrastructure, and development outcomes.

“It accounts for a significant proportion of national expenditure and, therefore, demands the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and accountability.”

He noted that although the enactment of the Public Procurement Act 2007, alongside the establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, marked a significant step toward institutionalizing transparency, more reforms are still needed.

“Public procurement is not a one-time event; it is a continuous process of evolution, adaptation, and learning,” he added.

“The Senate Committee on Public Procurement remains committed to legislative oversight, policy advocacy, and institutional reforms that strengthen integrity and compliance in the procurement system.

“Let us, therefore, reaffirm our collective resolve to make public procurement in Nigeria a model of transparency and efficiency—not only in Africa but across the global stage.

“By aligning our practices with international standards and embracing innovation, we can ensure that every naira spent translates into better schools, safer roads, improved healthcare, and a more prosperous nation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

In her opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of LeadBold Resource Consulting Ltd, Barrister Kelechi Kingsley, said the retreat aimed to enhance the strategic leadership capacity of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement to effectively drive oversight, transparency, accountability, and compliance in Nigeria’s public procurement ecosystem.

“The retreat seeks to expose participants to global regulations, international best practices, and practical frameworks that will strengthen institutional integrity, ensure value for money in public expenditure, and advance national development objectives through sound procurement governance,” she stated.