The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and Yakubu Gowon University have announced plans to establish an International Centre for Procurement, Governance, Integrity and Assurance.
The Director-General of BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Adedokun said the proposed centre aimed to position Nigeria as a leading hub for procurement expertise within the Economic Community of West African States region and beyond.
He said the collaboration was formalised when the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the school, Olanrewaju Tejuosho, led a delegation to visit him in Abuja.
Adedokun described the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening governance and professionalising procurement practices in Nigeria.
He said that the university, located at the seat of power, remained a strategic institution for advancing knowledge and policy development.
According to him, the centre will provide research, real-time data analytics and policy support for government programmes.
He said the initiative would also support national reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the partnership aligned with the Bureau’s mandate under the Public Procurement Act 2007.
The BPP boss said that the Act empowered the Bureau to promote capacity building, professional development and ethical standards in public procurement.
The director-general said international technical support was already being mobilised to support the establishment of the centre.
According to Adedokun, the facility will attract policymakers, ministers and executives from across Africa and other parts of the world.
He said the centre would enable leaders to learn, unlearn and relearn global best practices in procurement governance.
Adedokun also announced that the Bureau would host an international seminar at the university in April which would serve as a precursor to the official launch of the centre’s activities.
The director- general emphasised that the facility must meet global standards comparable to leading international institutions.
He added that the Bureau would soon visit the university to inspect temporary facilities and finalise implementation arrangements.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor expressed strong support for the initiative and commended the Bureau for the partnership.
Tejuosho said many public officials faced legal consequences due to inadequate knowledge of procurement procedures.
According to him, access to specialised training would strengthen oversight and improve accountability in public service.
Tejuosho disclosed that the university had already identified a take-off location and developed structural plans for the institute.
The Vice-Chancellor, Hakeem Fawehinmi, pledged the university’s commitment to ensuring the success of the partnership.
Fawehinmi said the institution would work closely with the Bureau to establish a globally competitive centre.
