Senate urges tougher oversight to boost transparency in procurement

The Senate, on Thursday, renewed calls for greater transparency and strict compliance with laid-down procedures in Nigeria’s public procurement system, insisting that every naira spent by government must translate into tangible, provable projects.

Speaking at a two-day retreat for members of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement in Abuja, the Committee Chairman, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North), stressed the need to make procurement processes more transparent, efficient, and accountable in line with international best practices.

He said, “Public procurement is not merely a technical or administrative activity; it is the mechanism through which government policies are transformed into tangible services, infrastructure, and development outcomes.

“It accounts for a significant proportion of national expenditure and, therefore, demands the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and accountability.”

Ipinsagba noted that while the enactment of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement were major steps forward, Nigeria still needed deeper reforms to strengthen compliance and integrity across the system.

“Public procurement is not a one-time event; it is a continuous process of evolution, adaptation, and learning.

The Senate Committee on Public Procurement remains committed to legislative oversight, policy advocacy, and institutional reforms that strengthen integrity and compliance in the procurement system,” he added.

The senator urged stakeholders to align Nigeria’s procurement practices with global standards and the reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration.

“By aligning our practices with international standards and embracing innovation, we can ensure that every naira spent translates into better schools, safer roads, improved healthcare, and a more prosperous nation,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Leadbold Resource Consulting Ltd, Barrister Kelechi Kingsley, explained that the retreat aimed to strengthen the committee’s strategic leadership capacity in oversight, accountability, and compliance within the nation’s procurement ecosystem.

She said, “The retreat seeks to expose participants to global regulations, international best practices, and practical frameworks that will strengthen institutional integrity, ensure value for money in public expenditure, and advance national development objectives through sound procurement governance.”