Olusegun Omotola: Piloting Bureau of Public Procurement Reform 

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) under the leadership of its Acting Director General, Olusegun Omotola, has commenced a revolutionary journey to modernise and simplify Nigeria’s public procurement procedures.

Omotola’s appointment as the BPP’s boss coincides with a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to increase effectiveness in public spending, accountability, and openness. He has a broad and ambitious plan for the agency that includes several important reform areas namely: Modernisation of legislative and regulatory framework; strengthening of institutional framework and management capacity; Improvement of procurement operations and market practices; and strengthening integrity of public procurement system.

Omotola’s leadership of the BPP offers hope for a brighter future for public procurement in Nigeria. By embracing innovation, technology, and best practices, the agency can play a critical role in transforming the country’s public sector and promoting sustainable development.

Before now, Omotola was a Director, Legal Services in the Bureau. He hails from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

He got his (L.L.B Hons), Bachelor of Law, at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria in 1991.  He has attended so many courses and seminars in capacity building, Contract Negotiations, Drafting and Management, Computer Hardware and Operating System, Total Quality Management, Infrastructure Development, Public Private Partnerships for Infrastructure and Services Seminar, Effectives Leadership and Change Management, Office Routine and Work Ethics in High impact Leadership.

He also, had trainings in Maintaining Acceptable Financial Management for Sustainable Development in the Public Sector, Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) amongst many others.

He represented the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning on the Ajaokuta Project Presidential Implementation Team, Sub-Committee, set up to verify the outstanding Federal Government Liabilities generated by the Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Ores Mining Company, Itakpe, in Kogi state in July 2020 – August 2021.  He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and member, Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (represented Federal Ministry of Finance).

The ongoing reforms initiated by the BPP boss are outlined below:

Modernisation of Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks. The BPP is actively working to amend the existing Act to align it with global best practices and address emerging challenges. With this, it aims to meet the evolving economic demands in Nigeria, offer greater flexibility in procurement procedures and embrace modern public procurement practices such as Sustainable Public Procurement, Green Public Procurement (to tackle Climate Change challenges) and Social Value Focused Public Procurement (getting more benefits i.e. social value outcomes from contracts beyond the specified goods, services or works). Today, work is presently ongoing on the review of the current Public Procurement Act 2007, and the BPP under the leadership of Omotola is seeking the support of stakeholders when the proposed legislation gets to the floor of the National Assembly. The review and modernisation of the country’s Standard Bidding Documents and Public Procurement Regulations and Manual is also at an advanced stage.

Additionally, the present BPP leadership aims to simplify and streamline the procurement processes with the deployment of e-Government Procurement (e-GP). The BPP has also commenced the process to reduce the delivery timelines of its operations through the deployment of a transparent and AI-driven Procurement Review Management System to manage its workflow and prevent corrupt practices.

Strengthening Institutional Framework and Capacity

The agency is also committed to developing and implementing modern regulations that promote efficiency, transparency, and fairness in public procurement. To this end, the BPP is investing in capacity-building programs for procurement officers to enhance their skills and knowledge. The agency is also undertaking organisational restructuring to improve its operational efficiency and effectiveness.

In a recent address, delivered on the occasion of the 2024 training for conversion/induction into the procurement cadre in parastatals, institutions, commissions and agencies of federal government in Lagos State, Omotola stressed that the BPP remains determined to implement organisational re-engineering, to ensure organisational culture change, and transform and re-brand the BPP as a proactive and effective regulator and anti-corruption agency. “We are committed to providing opportunities for new entrants, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Women-Owned Enterprises in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda on ensuring sustained inclusive economic growth.

“We shall strive to contribute and support the drive for the delivery of innovation in public service delivery in collaboration with other innovation-focused government agencies,” he explained.

In recent times, the BPP has also taken steps to enhance the capability of procurement actors. It is currently training some procurement officers on sustainable procurement at its Public Procurement Centres of Excellence in the six geopolitical zones (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, (ATBU), Bauchi; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM); Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); University of Benin (UNIBEN) and University of Lagos (UNILAG)).

“Also, we are about to roll-out extensive training for professionalisation of public procurement in this last quarter of 2024, through the World Bank supported Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project].

“These objectives are ambitious, but they are also essential for the future of public procurement in our country. They represent a shift from viewing procurement as a mere administrative function to recognizing it as a strategic driver of public value, innovation and most importantly, ensuring the delivery of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“As new entrants into the procurement cadre, you are entering the field at a pivotal moment. You will be at the forefront of implementing these reforms and shaping the future of procurement,” Omotola revealed.

He urged procurement professionals to bring in their expertise and specialised knowledge forward to ensure that the ongoing reforms succeed.

“Your understanding of procurement processes, regulations, and best practices is essential for interpreting and implementing the Public Procurement Act 2007 and Regulations correctly. Secondly, you will play a vital role in change management.

“Reform often involves significant changes to established processes, and you will be responsible for communicating these changes effectively to stakeholders across your organisations. You will provide guidance on the standard procurement procedures, manage resistance to change, and ensure smooth transitions.

“Thirdly, as we professionalize the procurement workforce, your role becomes even more significant. You will be at the forefront of establishing and maintaining professional standards and elevating the strategic importance of procurement within your organisations,” he added.

Improvement of Procurement Operations and Market Practices

Under the leadership of Omotola, the BPP is also promoting the adoption of e-GP to streamline procurement processes and reduce corruption. The agency is committed to promoting transparency and accountability in public procurement through various measures, including public disclosure of procurement information.

The BPP boss pointed out that behavioural change is a key element of any Public Procurement Reform, even as he highlighted key behavioral elements that would strengthen the reform. He explained: “In this dynamic environment, adaptability is crucial. You will need to embrace new technologies and digital solutions like e-Government Procurement and Procurement Planning Software (NOCOPO), navigate shifting priorities and processes, and help stakeholders across your organisations adapt to new procedures. Your ability to manage resistance to change and ensure smooth transitions will be a valuable asset.

“Emotional intelligence will be a cornerstone of your success. You’ll need to handle potentially contentious supplier relationships diplomatically, manage conflicts that arise during the reform process, and demonstrate empathy when dealing with stakeholders affected by changes. Your patience and tact when acting as gatekeepers in the procurement process will be essential.

“The field of procurement is evolving rapidly, and your commitment to ongoing learning will be crucial. Stay updated on evolving best practices and technologies, develop new competencies required by reform initiatives, and participate in training programs offered by the SPESSE project to address your skill gaps. Pursuing professional certifications will help elevate the strategic importance of procurement within your organisations,” he added.

Strengthening the Integrity of Public Procurement System
The BPP is also implementing stringent anti-corruption measures to prevent fraud and abuse of public funds. Today, the agency is promoting ethical conduct among procurement officers and stakeholders. The successful implementation of these reforms would have a significant impact on Nigeria’s public sector. Furthermore, streamlined procurement processes would lead to faster and more efficient delivery of public projects; just as enhanced transparency and accountability would help to minimise corruption and waste of public funds.

Efficient public procurement can stimulate economic growth by promoting competition and innovation. Also, effective public procurement can contribute to social development by ensuring that public funds are used to provide essential services to citizens.

“We are dedicated to embedding transparency throughout the procurement lifecycle, with greater emphasis on the adoption of Open Competitive Bidding through Advertisements (since I assumed office in June ending, we have declined 60 per cent of requests for Restricted Tendering in favour of Open Competitive Bidding, and we shall do more.

“This change has met with a lot of resistance and blackmail from those benefiting from the status quo, but we are resolved to entrenching the good principles contained in the Public Procurement Act 2007). As part of our drive towards ensuring effective public procurement oversight, extensive Procurement Audit exercise shall commence in few weeks. We focus on delivering Value-for-Money (VfM) and Social Value through public procurement,” the BPP boss explained.

Clearly, strong ethical standards are non-negotiable in Nigeria’s public procurement practice as it plays a key role in combating corruption and promoting transparency in procurement processes.

Omotola told procurement professionals that,  “your analytical skills will be in high demand efficiently and effectively translate the Renewed Hope Agenda into tangible delivery to the citizens. You will need to interpret data and provide insights for decision-making, align procurement activities with broader organizational objectives and evaluate the economic impact of procurement decisions. “Effective collaboration will be key to your success. You will be engaging with diverse stakeholders to gather input and support for reform efforts, building strong relationships with contractors and consultants, and working across departments to align procurement reform with other organizational initiatives. Your ability to foster a culture of teamwork and knowledge-sharing within the procurement function will set you apart as a leader.

Conclusion

Indeed, the era of procurement reform presents both challenges and opportunities, and all stakeholders must support Omotola to navigate the landscape and to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the  President. The expertise of professionals in the sector would also be instrumental in driving successful procurement reform and elevating the strategic importance of the procurement function within their organisations.