The Senate Committee on Public Procurement has issued a strong call for immediate and comprehensive reforms to Nigeria’s public procurement process, underscoring the critical need for increased transparency and strict compliance with established procedures. This initiative is aimed at fostering greater accountability and ensuring optimal value for every naira spent, ultimately contributing to national development and positively impacting citizens.

Senator Olajide Ipinsagba, who chairs the Committee on Public Procurement and represents Ondo North, articulated this vision during a two-day retreat for committee members held in Abuja. He emphasized that public procurement extends beyond mere technical or administrative functions, serving as a vital mechanism for translating government policies into tangible infrastructure, essential services, and significant development outcomes. Given that procurement constitutes a substantial portion of national expenditure, Senator Ipinsagba stressed the paramount importance of upholding the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and accountability to effectively safeguard public resources.

While acknowledging the foundational steps taken through the enactment of the 2007 Public Procurement Act and the establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Senate Committee itself, Senator Ipinsagba highlighted that these advances, though significant, require further enhancement. He noted that essential reforms are still necessary to address existing gaps and strengthen Nigeria’s procurement framework to achieve better results and ensure more robust compliance across the board.

The Committee Chairman further asserted that public procurement is a dynamic and continuous process requiring constant evolution, adaptation, and learning. This demands persistent legislative oversight, proactive policy advocacy, and ongoing institutional reforms to consistently bolster integrity and efficiency within the system. Senator Ipinsagba urged all stakeholders to recommit to transforming Nigeria’s procurement system into a global model of transparency and efficiency, not just within Africa. By aligning procurement practices with international standards and embracing innovative approaches, he believes the nation can guarantee that public funds are effectively utilized to deliver improved schools, safer roads, enhanced healthcare, and overall national prosperity, thereby directly supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for sustainable development.