Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima declared yesterday that President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms are successfully rebuilding international trust in Nigeria’s governance systems.
Speaking at the inaugural convocation of the Nigeria Procurement Certification Programme (NPCP) held at the Presidential Villa, he noted that the inclusion of foreign participants in the program is a testament to the country’s growing credibility on the global stage.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, he celebrated the graduation of 2,100 procurement professionals from Nigeria and across the globe.
He emphasised that the era of viewing procurement as a mere “administrative necessity” prone to abuse is over.
“The fact that professionals from foreign countries have elected to participate in this inaugural cohort is a clear indication that Nigeria is no longer satisfied with mediocrity,” Shettima stated.
“We are consciously establishing ourselves as a benchmark on the continent and beyond.”
Shettima described procurement as the “engine room of development,” noting that the transparency of these processes directly dictates the quality of roads, hospitals, schools, and security infrastructure delivered to citizens.
The ceremony marks a milestone for the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project.
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Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of the BPP, highlighted that the NPCP serves as a specialised vehicle to equip officers with the skills required to protect public resources.
He also announced a major policy shift. He said Tinubu has approved the full deployment of community-based procurement officers nationwide to ensure local projects align with global best practices.
The National Project Coordinator, Joshua Attah, revealed that the project’s Centres of Excellence have already reached over 40,000 candidates through digital learning and capacity-building assessments.
Senator Olajide Ipinsagba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Procurement, pledged the National Assembly’s commitment to making the certification program sustainable.
World Bank Chief Procurement Officer, Hiba Tahboub, lauded Nigeria’s investment in procurement and urged other African nations to emulate this structured professionalisation model.
Addressing the graduands directly, Shettima urged them to act as “stewards of value for money.”
He reminded them that while their daily decisions may not always make headlines, the impact on classrooms, clinics, and communities would be felt by millions.
“Let your conscience be guided by your certification,” he charged. “Your practice should be defined by integrity, and your compass should be loyalty to your country.”
