The Nigerian Senate has highlighted the urgent need to improve transparency and strictly adhere to due process within the nation’s public procurement system to ensure maximum value in project execution across the country.
Olajide Ipinsagba, the senator for Ondo North and chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, made this point during a two-day strategic retreat held in Abuja. The event, organized by LeadBold Resource Consulting, aimed to provide committee members with advanced knowledge and skills.
Ipinsagba stressed that public procurement must serve as a model of transparency and operational excellence, guaranteeing that every government naira spent contributes directly to tangible developmental outcomes.
“Public procurement is far more than a bureaucratic procedure; it is the essential mechanism through which government policies are transformed into real-world infrastructure, services, and social progress,” he stated.
Drawing attention to the significant portion of the national budget dedicated to procurement, he urged a steadfast commitment to integrity, efficiency, and accountability in managing these resources.
While acknowledging the foundational role of the 2007 Public Procurement Act and the establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Ipinsagba emphasized the necessity for continuous reforms to strengthen the procurement framework.
“Procurement is a dynamic process that requires ongoing improvement, adaptation, and the acquisition of new expertise,” he added.
He reiterated the Senate Committee’s resolve to provide robust legislative oversight, advocate for sound policies, and drive institutional reforms that enhance ethical conduct and compliance within the procurement sector.
Furthermore, Ipinsagba pledged the committee’s commitment to aligning Nigeria’s procurement standards with international best practices, underscoring that such alignment is crucial for ensuring public expenditures lead to better educational infrastructure, safer transport systems, improved healthcare delivery, and overall national development, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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During the retreat, Kelechi Kingsley, CEO of LeadBold Resource Consulting Ltd., explained that the program was designed to enhance the strategic leadership skills of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement. The initiative aims to equip members with the tools necessary to effectively monitor transparency, accountability, and regulatory adherence within the sector.
She also highlighted that the training exposes participants to global regulations, exemplary practices, and practical frameworks intended to strengthen institutional integrity and optimize the impact of public spending.