By Okeoghene Akubuike
Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement( BPP), has joined global trade experts and policy leaders in Geneva for the Advanced Global Workshop on the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).
This is contained in a statement by Zira Nagga, Head of Press and Public Relations, BPP, in Abuja on Friday.
Nagga said the high-level workshop organised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Secretariat, was scheduled to run from April 20 to April 24, 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
He said Adedokun’s participation was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on procurement reforms.
According to Nagga, the BPP boss is among 30 participants selected globally for the workshop, where he is representing Nigeria in discussions focused on the objectives, provisions, and benefits of the GPA 2012 framework.
“His attendance also aligns with efforts to promote good governance through legislation and the development of a National Procurement Strategic Framework,” he said
He said the workshop aimed to bridge the gap between government procurement, international trade, and good governance by exploring the synergies between the GPA 2012 and other global instruments.
Nagga said Adedokun’s participation underscored Nigeria’s commitment to modernising its procurement system through digital transformation and adherence to international best practices.
He said key thematic areas of the workshop included understanding the WTO GPA 2012 rules and negotiations around government procurement and the benefits to Nigeria.
Others are electronic procurement, aimed at aligning Nigeria’s e-submission processes with global standards , and inclusion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in public contracting.
He also listed sustainable procurement practices which involve integrating environmental and social considerations into government’s spending architecture, and strengthening governance frameworks to enhance transparency and accountability.
Nagga said the engagement was considered a significant step in the BPP’s mission to reposition public procurement as a strategic tool for national development under the current administration’s reform agenda.
“By reflecting on the potential benefits and challenges presented by the GPA 2012, the bureau continues to lead the charge in eliminating waste and maximising value for the Nigerians,” he said
He said one of the benefits of the workshop was that Nigeria would be admitted as an observer to the WTO GPA.
Nagga said Adedokun paid a visit to the D-G, WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to get her abreast with ongoing procurement reforms in Nigeria and solicit for her support.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
