By Muhammad Nur Tijani
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a Procurement Center of Excellence at the Nigerian Navy Logistics College, Dawakin Tofa, Kano.
It is to serve as a regional hub for training procurement officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, disclosed this on Monday in Kano.
He said this during the inauguration of the Nigerian Navy Special Mandatory Continuous Public Procurement Capacity Development Training.
Adedokun, representative by Nasir Bello, Director of Civil Infrastructure, explained that discussions are ongoing between the Bureau and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to actualise the initiative.
He described the initiative as “epoch-making” in streamlining procurement training for the Armed Forces and other public institutions.
He emphasised that the training programme was a milestone in the conversion of naval logistics officers into core procurement cadres, equipping them with technical knowledge and instilling values of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
Highlighting the Federal Government’s reform agenda, the DG noted that the BPP was reviewing the Public Procurement Act 2007.
He said this would reengineer its processes with digital tools and AI-based systems, and reactivate the e-Government Procurement (e-GP) platform to ensure transparency and competitive bidding.
Adedokun commended the Chief of Naval Staff for supporting the initiative and urged officers to seize the opportunity to become disciplined, ethical, and capable procurement professionals.
He said the training would equip the officers with technical knowledge and instil values of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
The DG outlined the Bureau’s reform agenda anchored on four pillars: modernisation of legal frameworks, institutional strengthening, operational improvements, and integrity oversight.
He added that inclusivity remains a priority, with emphasis on empowering MSMEs and women-owned enterprises in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier, Rear Adm. Sulaiman Abdullahi, Chief of Logistics, Nigerian Navy, who served as Special Guest of Honour, stressed the importance of integrity, diligence, and continuous learning in procurement practice.
He noted that public procurement accounts for a significant portion of national expenditure and remains a critical lever for economic development.
“For decades, procurement in many public institutions was characterised by lack of transparency and weak adherence to due process. That era must remain firmly in our past,” Abdullahi said.
He commended the BPP for initiating the programme under the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and commended the Chief of Naval Staff for aligning the Navy with national reform agendas.
Speaking also, the commandant, Nigerian Navy Logistics College, Cmdr Ahmad Madawaki, noted that the training, the first of its kind for the Nigerian Navy, provides officers with a rare opportunity to become certified procurement professionals and change agents.
Madawaki urged participants to engage actively, uphold transparency, and embrace accountability, assuring them that the College has provided all necessary facilities to ensure a seamless learning experience.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
