Economy
Bureau Of Public Procurement (BPP) Trains 8,000 Procurement Officers, Warns Against Misconduct
Bureau Of Public Procurement (BPP) Trains 8,000 Procurement Officers, Warns Against Misconduct
Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) trains 8,000 procurement officers, warns against misconduct. He warned that any officer found guilty of procurement misconduct would face prosecution or posting out.
The director-general of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Adebowale Adedokun, said that the agency had trained no fewer than 8,000 procurement officers to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money in procurement processes.
Mr Adedokun disclosed this at the 2025 Mandatory Continuous Public Procurement Capacity Development Training Programme for the Batch B 300 participants in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The DG commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the new policies and reforms in BPP that could enable the agency to carry out a procurement system that would benefit the country.
Mr Adedokun stated that the agency was committed to implementing and improving procurement systems for Nigerians’ benefit.
According to him, the BPP is building on previous administrations’ foundation, strengthening the system, addressing loopholes, and closing corrupt tendency gaps.
He noted that a national framework on career development was planned which requires procurement officers to show proof of self-development and good practices annually.
Mr Adedokun mentioned that the agency had been monitoring procurement activities in collaboration with the national team, civil society, and professional bodies to study individuals with impeccable integrity.
“We ensure procurement audits are done, and procurement is carried out openly through entity bidding. Our next target is to sanction any MDA, officer, or individual contravening the law.
“We have also introduced reforms, including revised procurement thresholds, Standard Bidding Documents, and an upgraded Procurement Manual,” he said.
He highlighted that the electronic submissions would be mandatory from March 1.
Mr Adedokun warned that any officer found guilty of procurement misconduct would face prosecution or posting out.
The DG urged participants to engage seriously with the training, carry out all the directives given to them at the course of the training.
He mentioned that any participation that failed to reach the 60 per cent pass mark after the final examination would not be certified.
The former director-general of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Emeka Ezeh, also urged participants to become ambassadors of procurement reform and transparency.
Mr Ezeh, who is the chairman, Civil Service Commission FCT, expressed his support for the current BPP director-general, stating that he needs the participants’ backing to drive reforms in the procurement sector.
The former DG, who is also the keynote speaker at the occasion, stressed on the need for Nigerians to support the BPP reforms to ensure that all the 300 participants got fired with enthusiasm and commitment to do things right in their offices after their training.
He emphasised on the importance of digital transformation in enhancing transparency and reducing human interference in decision-making.
“The digital connection is the way the whole world is going, where you reduce human interference in decision making. That makes it easier and transparent,” he said.
Mr Ezeh appealed to Nigerian leaders to support the BPP’s efforts, stating that when the Bureau says no, it’s not against anyone, but a commitment to getting things done right.
BPP Director Testifies
He noted that the president had given his full support to the BPP, and any opposition to the Bureau’s efforts would be against the President’s wishes.
Mr Ezeh urged the participants to form a critical mass of future leaders that would drive the procurement system forward.
In his remark, the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, said that the agency had embraced digital transformation to boost transparency and efficiency in its operations.
Mr Ogbuku stated that the commission was working to automate all departments and train staff to be information technology service compliant, aligning with the federal government’s directive to digitalise operations.
The NDDC MD emphasised that digitalisation would enhance transparency, making it easier for the public to track the commission’s activities.
“When files are on the screen, I always have a feeling that this is where corruption comes from. But once things are digital, it’s easier for people outside to check what the institution is doing. For us, that’s transparency.
“The commission has already initiated the digitalization process, setting up a project verification and payment committee to verify projects and capture them in a digitized database for e-payments, this will be fully implemented by March,” he stated.
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC sets to run three Lagos–Ibadan train trips Monday. He assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos by NRC chief public relations officer, Callistus Unyimadu.
He said the additional trip was in response to high passenger turnout during the Eid-el-Fitr travel period.
“The extra trip is aimed at easing passenger movement and providing more travel options for commuters returning after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
“Under the schedule, departures from Lagos (Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta) will be at 7.45 a.m., 1.40 p.m., and 4.00 p.m.
“From Ibadan (Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya), trains will depart at 8.00 a.m., 10.50 a.m., and 4.30 p.m.,” he said.
Mr Unyimadu assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
He advised travellers to arrive early, comply with ticketing and security procedures, and plan their journeys.
“The corporation appreciates the continued patronage of its services and wishes all passengers a safe and pleasant journey,” he added.
UBA, BII Sign Letter Of Intent To Explore Trade Finance Collaboration Across Africa
United Bank for Africa (UK) Limited (“UBA UK”) and British International Investment plc (“BII”), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced that they have signed a letter of intent to develop trade finance collaboration opportunities.
The proposed initiative aims to expand access to trade and working capital facilities for businesses operating across Africa.
Access to trade finance remains one of the most significant structural constraints on African trade. Businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are frequently unable to secure letters of credit, guarantees, and supply chain finance on commercially viable terms, limiting their capacity to export and import competitively. This trade finance gap is estimated by the African Development Bank to be over USD 80 billion annually.
To help close this gap, UBA UK, the London subsidiary of UBA Group, Africa’s Global Bank, will leverage its deep relationships across the Group’s 20-country African network to originate and structure trade finance transactions. While BII, with a mandate to support productive, sustainable, and inclusive growth across Africa, can support transactions that might otherwise fall outside conventional commercial appetite.
“The signing of this letter with BII represents a landmark moment for UBA UK and for the UBA Group’s global ambitions. As the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, UBA UK is uniquely positioned to connect African businesses with the international financial system. Working alongside BII, we can extend that capability further — mobilising capital where it matters most and helping to close the trade finance gap that holds back so much African potential,” said Lok Mishra, Chief Executive Officer, UBA UK
“British International Investment is committed to catalysing private sector growth across Africa, and trade finance is a critical enabler of that growth. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with UBA Group, whose pan-African network and deep institutional relationships can help advance our ambition to expand access to trade and working capital finance, particularly in frontier markets,” Chris Chijiuitomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa
The announcement builds on growing momentum around intra-African trade facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered into force in 2021 and represents one of the world’s most significant trade integration initiatives. Both institutions have identified the operationalisation of AfCFTA as a priority catalyst for a trade finance facility, with UBA UK’s network across major AfCFTA economies offering a basis for supporting businesses navigating the emerging continental market.
This also complements the UK Government’s broader engagement with African economic development, including commitments made at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, and reinforces the City of London’s role as a leading international finance centre for Africa-focused capital mobilisation.
Future cooperation remains subject to further assessment, due diligence and the completion of internal approvals by both parties.
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UK) LIMITED
UBA UK is the London-based subsidiary of United Bank for Africa Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions with operations across 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates. UBA UK serves as the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, providing a comprehensive suite of trade finance, treasury, and correspondent banking services to institutional and corporate clients worldwide.
UBA
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA GROUP
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.
ABOUT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good.
Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development.
The company has investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of £9.87 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu Felicitates Muslims, Urges Renewed Unity, Patriotism
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu felicitates Muslims, urges renewed unity, patriotism. Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan.
The president urged them to renew commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence, and service to humanity as they celebrate the festival across the country on Friday.
This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan, noting that the holy month teaches discipline, sacrifice, compassion, and devotion to God and humanity.
He said: “We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this.
“We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period.”
The president emphasised the need for Nigerians to remain united across religious and ethnic lines, stressing that national cohesion remains vital for sustainable peace and development.
He urged Muslims to extend acts of kindness and charity to the less privileged, irrespective of religious or ethnic background, in line with the enduring values of Islam.
Mr Tinubu noted that such gestures would strengthen social bonds, promote inclusiveness, and reinforce the spirit of brotherhood that defines the Nigerian society.
The president also called on religious leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, stability, and economic prosperity across the country.
Tinubu
He expressed optimism that with collective efforts, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and achieve lasting progress for the benefit of all citizens.
Mr Tinubu wished Muslims a joyous celebration, praying that the blessings of Ramadan would bring renewed hope, strength, and guidance to individuals, families, and the nation.
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