The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)

The Public Procurement Act 2007

The Public Procurement Act 2007 established the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) as the regulatory authority responsible for the monitoring and oversight of public procurement. The Bureau harmonizes existing government policies and practices by regulating, setting standards, and developing the legal framework and professional capacity for public procurement in Nigeria.

Historical Background

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) was established as part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public sector procurement. Its inception was driven by efforts to combat corruption and mismanagement of public funds, which had long plagued Nigeria’s procurement process.

Reforms gained momentum in the early 2000s under President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose administration recognized the significant losses caused by inefficiencies and corrupt practices in public procurement. Seeking to address these challenges, Nigeria collaborated with the World Bank and other international organizations to initiate the Country Procurement Assessment Report (CPAR) in 2000. The CPAR identified systemic weaknesses and recommended urgent reforms.

In response to these findings, the Nigerian government introduced the Public Procurement Act, which was signed into law in 2007. This Act established the BPP as the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing public procurement practices. The Bureau was mandated to enforce the provisions of the Act, set procurement standards, and ensure adherence to transparent and competitive processes.

Since its inception, the BPP has played a critical role in modernizing Nigeria’s procurement processes. It has introduced measures such as the National Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) to enhance transparency and accountability. Despite challenges such as resistance to change, capacity gaps, and lingering issues of corruption, the BPP has been instrumental in promoting good governance and fiscal responsibility in Nigeria’s public procurement landscape.

Vision

“Building and sustaining an efficient country procurement system that meets international best practices.”

Mission

“To professionalize the process of procurement that ensures Transparency, Efficiency, Competition, Integrity, and Value for Money to support National Growth and Development.”

Core Objectives

  • Economic Efficiency
  • Competition – Providing a level playing field for all bidders
  • Value for Money
  • Transparency

Objectives of the Bureau

The Bureau of Public Procurement was established to:

  • Harmonize existing government policies and practices on public procurement to ensure probity, accountability, and transparency.
  • Establish pricing standards and benchmarks.
  • Ensure the application of fair, competitive, transparent, and value-for-money standards in public procurement and disposal of assets.
  • Attain transparency, competitiveness, cost-effectiveness, and professionalism in public sector procurement.

Functions of the Bureau

The BPP is responsible for:

  • Formulating general procurement policies and guidelines.
  • Publicizing and explaining the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
  • Certifying federal procurement before contract awards, subject to thresholds set by the Council.
  • Supervising the implementation of established procurement policies.
  • Monitoring tendered item prices and maintaining a national database of standard prices.
  • Publishing major contract details in the procurement journal.
  • Maintaining a national database of contractors and service providers.
  • Archiving all federal procurement plans and information.
  • Conducting procurement research and surveys.
  • Organizing training programs for procurement professionals.
  • Reviewing the socio-economic effects of procurement policies and advising the Council accordingly.
  • Updating standard bidding and contract documents.
  • Preventing fraudulent and unfair procurement practices and applying administrative sanctions where necessary.
  • Conducting procurement audits and submitting reports to the National Assembly bi-annually.
  • Establishing a single internet portal for all public sector procurement information.
  • Coordinating training programs to build institutional capacity.

Conclusion

The Bureau of Public Procurement has been instrumental in reshaping Nigeria’s procurement landscape by fostering transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Despite ongoing challenges, the BPP continues to work towards strengthening procurement practices, reducing corruption, and ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently. Through initiatives like NOCOPO and continued capacity building, the Bureau remains committed to achieving its vision of a procurement system that aligns with international best practices.