By Lucy Ogalue
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has engaged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on implementation of the National Policy on Affirmative Procurement (NPAP).
The Director-General, BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, said this at the Training for Policymakers and Awareness Raising on Inclusive Public Procurement in Abuja on Tuesday.
Adedokun said that the reform aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s inclusiveness agenda, adding that the policy targeted women-owned businesses, youth-led enterprises, persons with disabilities, startups and other historically disadvantaged groups.
He said that affirmative procurement was not a new law, but full activation of preference provisions under the Public Procurement Act 2007.
”We are not creating a new law. The Act already provides for domestic and investment preference. What is missing is commitment to implementation, and Mr President has provided that strategic leadership,” he said.
The director general said that MDAs must redesign procurement plans and bidding documents to capture affirmative measures.
He added that procurement officers would receive capacity building to align internal processes with the new directives.
According to him, implementation will commence gradually with the 2026 budget cycle. We will start phased implementation, learn from challenges and continuously improve.
He noted that inclusive procurement would reduce youth restiveness, address insecurity and expand job opportunities.
Adedokun further said hat transparency mechanisms, including technology adoption and sanctions, would guide enforcement.
”Give us one case of deviation and we will take it up. We have the legal powers to recommend prosecution,” he said.
He urged stakeholders and civil society to report abuses to strengthen accountability.
He added that the engagement was not a policy inauguration but part of nationwide consultations.
Also speaking, the National Coordinating Officer of the International Trade Centre in Nigeria, Ms Natasha Akioye, reaffirmed support for the reform.
Akioye said the NPAP was developed with technical assistance under the SheTrades initiative.
According to her, inclusive public procurement is both a fairness measure and an economic strategy to stimulate competition and innovation.
She added that the workshop aimed to equip policymakers with practical tools for implementation and monitoring.
The training is part of ongoing nationwide stakeholder engagements to operationalise the affirmative procurement policy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LCN/DCO
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Edited by Deborah Coker
