In a major push for transparency and accountability, the Federal Government, FG, through the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has issued a set of rigorous policy directives to heads of federal tertiary institutions aimed at strengthening integrity in procurement practices.
The directives followed a high-level stakeholders’ meeting with the Heads of Federal Tertiary Institutions and the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Adedokun Adebowale.
The meeting’s focus was clear: embedding ethical leadership and strict compliance within the education sector’s procurement processes.
The BPP Director General delivered a presentation on “Emerging Challenges in Procurement Processes and Compliance Issues”, stressing the imperative of due process and sharing best practices for efficient and transparent procurement.
Following the discussion, several key policy directives were agreed upon to align the education sector with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a transparent public service.
These include that all institutions are now required to utilize the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), a directive aligned with the President’s “Nigeria First” Policy, promoting a unified, indigenous research and education platform, and procurement plans must first secure approval from the institution’s Council and Tenders Board before they can be submitted to the BPP.
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The Minister stressed that “no contract can be awarded outside this process.”
Tenders Board meetings may now be conducted virtually, provided the BPP Director General is duly informed.
Institutions must demonstrate strict compliance with all extant procurement laws and the eight core BPP policies guiding all federal entities.
The appointment of a Head or Director of Procurement must follow a transparent process and requires a “No Objection” certificate from the BPP before the confirmation is finalized.
Alausa thanked Adebowale for engaging with the Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, and Rectors, and for addressing their concerns.
He affirmed the government’s steadfast commitment: “Together, we remain committed to advancing accountability, efficiency, and ethical leadership across Nigeria’s education sector,” underscoring the drive to create a service-driven public sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
