News
Professional certification: Nigeria’s giant leap in public procurement reform
By Sufuyan Ojeifo
The National Procurement Certification Programme (NPCP), a flagship initiative of Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), is redefining how the nation manages public resources.
Anchored in the World Bank-funded Sustainable Procurement, Environmental, and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) programme, the initiative prioritises transparency, efficiency and good governance. By making professional certification compulsory for procurement officers, the NPCP ensures that only qualified professionals handle Nigeria’s vast procurement responsibilities, tackling inefficiencies, inflated contracts and public distrust.
To be clear, the NPCP, as part of SPESSE, represents more than a technical fix. It is a bold attempt to professionalise an ecosystem that has long struggled with weak capacity and inconsistent standards. SPESSE itself is backed by an 80-million-dollar World Bank grant [being the first tranche and an additional $65m recently approved] and designed to align procurement practice with global benchmarks for sustainability, environmental responsibility and social accountability. Six centres of excellence in Nigerian universities now form the backbone of this reform, providing training for a pipeline of skilled professionals. The NPCP acts as the gatekeeper by validating candidates’ mastery of procurement laws, ethics, and best practices under the Public Procurement Act of 2007.
This initiative is not merely a symbolic exercise but a decisive shift towards professionalism in public service. Nigeria’s procurement spending accounts for almost a third of the national budget, estimated at more than 30 billion dollars annually. That scale makes procurement a make-or-break determinant of national development. When roads fail before completion or hospitals are left unequipped despite heavy investment, the roots of the problem are almost always found in weak procurement oversight. The NPCP, combined with SPESSE’s training, provides the corrective mechanism.
Recently, 250 participants attended a virtual orientation session organised by the NPCP team. The Certification Support Unit Coordinator, Mr. Babatunde Oladele, outlined the objectives of the professional certification process. The BPP Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, delivered a clear message that professional certification was no longer optional but compulsory for all procurement officers, in line with broad institutional reforms. He stated that procurement officers would undergo Nigeria Procurement training modules covering Nigeria procurement laws, Category Management, ethical standards, environmental considerations, and global best practices. These modules, developed under SPESSE, are designed not only to strengthen technical competence but also to embed sustainability and social safeguards into daily procurement practices.
Participants were guided step by step on the Safe Exam Browser that would be used for the professional certification exam. The orientation included illustrated instructions on downloading and launching the browser and laid out clear rules for the process.
A lively question-and-answer session allowed participants to clarify doubts, reinforcing confidence that the process would be both transparent and fair. The SPESSE programme’s investment in digital accessibility was evident, ensuring that candidates from across Nigeria could participate without the logistical burden of travel, a mark of inclusion and scalability.
The first set of the professional certification examination was held three days later. Out of 330 qualified candidates, 325 took part in the virtual session, which ran from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. The test was rigorous, drawing 60 questions at random from a pool of 150, with each candidate receiving a different mix. They had 75 minutes to complete their answers. Stringent security was in place, with webcams required to be active throughout and automatic logout for anyone who lost connection.
These measures might have been tough, but they underlined the seriousness of the process and the credibility of the results, which are under review.
The implications for Nigeria’s procurement ecosystem are significant. The Office of the Head of Civil Service has approved the creation of a procurement cadre, linking promotions directly to professional certification. This marks a historic change in career progression and creates strong incentives for officers to embrace the NPCP.
For now, SPESSE subsidies make participation free of charge, but with the World Bank already signalling that this will not last forever, officers are being urged to take the opportunity while it remains accessible. A future where professional certification incurs fees could exclude those who delay; so urgency is both rational and necessary.
The stakes are high. The BPP audit of 2024 showed that 63 per cent of federal contracts missed their deadlines. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative estimated that 4.1 trillion naira was lost to inflated contracts between 2020 and 2024.
These are not abstract numbers. They translate into abandoned infrastructure, underfunded schools, ill-equipped hospitals, and frustrated citizens. The costly redesign of the Abuja–Lokoja Highway, which added 217 billion naira to the project due to weak contract supervision, is only one example of why reform is urgent.
By linking training at university centres of excellence with a rigorous, technology-driven professional certification process, the SPESSE programme offers a dual strategy to address these failures. Officers are being prepared not only to meet technical requirements but also to uphold ethical and sustainable standards.
Embedding environmental and social considerations in procurement training places Nigeria within global currents, such as climate-conscious contracting and equitable resource allocation. In practice, this means procurement officers will be trained to consider carbon footprints when evaluating contractors or to ensure that local communities are not disadvantaged by large infrastructure projects.
For a better contextual understanding, it should be noted that Nigeria’s ambitions draw inspiration from countries like Rwanda and Morocco, where more than 90 per cent of procurement officers are certified, and e-procurement adoption exceeds 80 per cent. Vietnam has also emerged as a leader in embedding sustainability into procurement. By introducing a digital, randomised, and secure professional certification process, Nigeria is signalling that it is ready to join this group of reformers and, in time, set the pace on the continent.
Challenges remain, and it is important not to ignore them. Unstable internet access, particularly in rural areas, can limit equitable participation. Technical support must be strengthened to deal with glitches such as sudden webcam disconnections. Some candidates have already expressed concerns that security measures, while necessary, may disadvantage those with weaker connectivity.
The SPESSE programme’s resources, including its partnerships with universities and international experts, provide a platform to tackle these hurdles. Sustaining political will and scaling infrastructure will be essential if the early momentum is not to be lost.
For the avoidance of doubt, the NPCP is not simply a bureaucratic innovation. It is a milestone in Nigeria’s governance journey, one that combines political will, World Bank support, and the leadership of the BPP.
The message is already clear. Procurement can no longer be left to outdated practices or informal arrangements. It must be anchored in professionalism, transparency, and competence.
The NPCP, powered by the SPESSE programme, is a statement of intent. It signals that Nigeria is serious about ensuring every naira spent delivers value and builds public trust. If sustained, it will not just reform procurement but revolutionise it, laying the foundation for a governance system that truly serves citizens and stands comparison with the best in the world.
● Sufuyan Ojeifo is a journalist and editor-in-chief of THE CONCLAVE online newspaper.
Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, fixed June 22, July 1 and 2, 2026 for definite hearing in the trial of the Chief Executive Officer of Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited, Osabohein Alex Ologbose, and his wife Hope Onome Oghelemu for alleged investment fraud.
The duo are being prosecuted alongside two companies, on a seven-count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, conversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N740 million.
According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punishment under Section 18(4) of the same Act.
The defendants were arraigned on February 16, 2026.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, the prosecuting EFCC lawyer, O.S Ujam, informed the court that the prosecution team was ready to proceed with the trials and to present three witnesses in court.
On his part, the defence lawyer , T.O. Ochayi, informed the court that he was unprepared for the commencement of the trial, having been briefed on the matter just a day before and taking over only today.
He said, “We are not ready, my lord. I am sorry my lord. I just came into this matter today, I was not the counsel before now. I am not ready for trial. I was briefed yesterday, I would like this matter to proceed only if I have the motion for bail.”
Responding, Ujam informed the court that the prosecution team was hearing such a response from the defence for the first time, frowning at the fact that the prosecution was not given any prior notice for the change in counsel. He further informed the court that the three prosecution witnesses present in court were elderly and have been in court since morning.
He said, “We are just hearing this, this morning. No notice was given to us. I am not opposed to the adjournment, however, we urge the court to slate the matter for definite hearing. We have three witnesses that came from afar and elderly. They have been in court since morning.”
Justice Akpan, thereafter, adjourned the matter till June 22, and July 1 and 2, 2026 for definite hearing.
Investigation by the EFCC revealed that the first and second defendants induced unsuspecting members of the public into paying money into Oghelemu’s account or that of Onome Global Market Resources Limited on the false pretence that it was for procurement and exportation of “bitter kola nuts” and “red kola nuts” to Hong Kong, China and Indonesia after which they would be paid a huge Return on Investment (RoI).
But it turned out that the investors neither got RoI, nor their investment sums back.
Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Monday confronted former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a tense exchange that has since gone viral.
The incident, captured on video, showed Sowore addressing Malami over his ongoing legal challenges, drawing comparisons between the former minister’s current predicament and his role during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Malami is currently facing charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), including allegations of money laundering, unlawful possession of firearms, and acquisition of assets. He is also challenging an interim forfeiture order on some of his properties, insisting they were legally obtained.
During the confrontation, Sowore remarked, “You see how it feels now to be persecuted. When you were with Buhari, you were bragging. We warned you that the justice system was failing, but you didn’t listen. Now the system is dealing with you.”
But Sowore described the claims as speculative, stressing that no documentation had been provided to prove the properties were purchased with illegal funds.
He also accused the EFCC of inflating the value of the assets to strengthen its case. According to him, properties bought for hundreds of millions of naira were wrongly valued in the billions.
He noted that independent assessments had placed more realistic values on the assets.
Explaining the sources of his wealth, Malami said they stem from over 30 years of legal practice, as well as investments in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and education.
He added that he also benefited from bank loans, asset sales, gifts, and proceeds from book launches, all of which he claimed were properly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Beyond disputing the financial allegations, Malami accused the EFCC of violating due process. He further alleged that officials seized properties without a final court order, evicted occupants, and confiscated documents, actions he described as unlawful and extrajudicial conduct.
The case, which is linked to an ongoing criminal matter involving the former AGF, is expected to test the scope of the EFCC’s powers in asset forfeiture and its compliance with legal procedures.
Malami is asking the court to overturn the interim forfeiture order, insisting the properties are legitimate.
The court will ultimately determine whether the assets should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government or returned to him.
In what can be considered as controversial statement and in line with his characteristic stance that usually attracts divergent views, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna many never work again in spite of the NNPCL’s efforts to secure technical partners for the refineries.
Speaking during a televised interview on Sony Irabor Live , Obasanjo pointed to structural and historical challenges that, in his view, have continued to undermine the refineries’ performance.
He said, “One of the lessons that I learnt is that PPP (public-private partnership) works. Look, one project that has not been destroyed by the government in Nigeria is the NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas), where the private sector has 51 per cent, and the Nigerian government has 49 per cent.
“See what we did with Nigerian railways. See what we did with the national shipping company. See what we are doing now, even with the NNPCL . The NNPCL has refineries, and I said to people that it may never work. And a man had the audacity to say, ‘Am I a chemical engineer?”
The former president recalled past attempts during his administration to attract global operators, including Shell, to manage the refineries under a partnership model. According to him, those efforts did not yield results.
“Look, when I was there, I called Shell. I said, ‘Look, please, I beg you, come and take 10 per cent equity and run the refinery for us.’ They said no. I said, ‘Okay, if you don’t want to take equity, don’t take equity. Come and run the refineries. They said no,” he stated.
He further explained that discussions with company officials highlighted commercial and operational concerns that influenced their decision.
“So, I called him, and I said, ‘Tell me, be honest with me. Why don’t you want to handle this?’ He said first, they want to let me know that they make most of their profits on the upstream, not the downstream.”
He said they run their downstream without making a loss, but they don’t make a lot of profit from it. It’s more of a service than a major profit-making. So that’s number one.
“Number two: he said our refineries are too small. This was when I was an elected President. He said our refineries are too small. One is 60,000 barrels, and another is 100,000 barrels. He said refineries at that time were in the range of 250,000 barrels to 300,000 barrels. Number three: he said our refineries are not well-maintained. We call quacks and amateurs to come and maintain our refineries. The refineries are not in good order. He said, ‘Number four, there’s too much corruption around our refineries, and they don’t want to be part of that,” Obasanjo explained.
Obasanjo also revisited a previous transaction involving the Dangote Group, led by Aliko Dangote, which he said offered a pathway for private sector participation at the time.
“Until one day, Aliko (Dangote) came and offered $750m to take two of the refineries; that will be 51 per cent. I said, ‘Wow, God, you are really a God of miracles.’ I told Aliko to bring the money quickly. They brought the money, and they paid,” he said.
He noted, however, that the arrangement did not endure beyond his tenure, following a policy reversal under his successor, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Obasanjo said, “When I left office, NNPC went to my successor and convinced him. So I got up. I went to Umar. I said, ‘Look, Umar, maybe you don’t know; this is why we did what we did.’ He said, ‘Well, NNPC came to me.’ I said, ‘But you know that NNPCL cannot run this thing. He said he knew. I asked, ‘Then why did you give in? He said because of pressure. And I said, ‘Look, when you sell these refineries, you will not get $200million for them, because you will sell them as scrap.’”
Obasanjo further referenced recent disclosures by the current NNPCL leadership, noting that , “Only the present NNPCL head has told the country the truth. But in the meantime, I was told that they have spent about $16bn, which is only $4bn short of what Aliko used to build Africa’s largest refinery,” the former President said.
The current Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, had earlier indicated that despite rehabilitation efforts and the brief reopening of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries in 2024, the facilities remain below global performance benchmarks, affecting their competitiveness.
In November 2025, NNPCL set a June 2026 target to conclude the selection of technical partners, a move seen as part of broader reforms to improve efficiency and output.
Meanwhile, Dangote has maintained that his decision to establish a privately owned refinery followed the earlier reversal of the refinery sale, adding that the future of the state-owned facilities remains uncertain.
Court fixes June 22 for hearing on couple’s alleged N740m investment fraud
Sowore mocks Malami at court, says ‘ You see how it feels now to be persecuted’
Obasanjo stirs up hornet’s nest, says ‘NNPCL refineries may never work again’
-
News22 hours agoIbadan declaration: Opposition standing on quick sand– Presidency
-
Entertainment22 hours ago“I Prefer Pets To Children” — BBNaija Star Phyna Replies Critics Over Decision To Be Childless
-
News21 hours agoINSULT! Boko Haram Faction Picks 68 Girls From Over 400 Captives For Distribution Among Fighters –Borno Group
-
News15 hours agoNNPP : Count us out of Ibadan national summit
-
News15 hours agoJust in: Sanwo-Olu finally approves Hamzat as his preferred successor
-
News15 hours agoAlleged Shooter At Trump Press Dinner To Appear In Court
-
News21 hours ago2027: Ogor visits IDU, Monarchs, declares intention to contest Delta South senatorial district
-
Economy20 hours agoSEE Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 27th April 2026