Nigeria is set to take another major step toward modernising its public procurement system as the Federal Government prepares to launch a digital marketplace that will connect contractors, suppliers, and government agencies on a single platform.
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, announced the plan during the first-ever Procurement Evolution Day held in Abuja. The event marked nearly 20 years of procurement reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of public funds.
According to Adedokun, the new platform, known as the Nigeria E-Market, will serve as an online meeting point where government buyers and private-sector sellers can conduct procurement activities more efficiently. The initiative is expected to reduce manual processes, limit human interference, and create a more transparent system for awarding public contracts.
He explained that the e-marketplace forms part of a broader digital transformation programme being implemented by the BPP to improve procurement operations across the country.
Adedokun revealed that the bureau has already begun the first phase of this transformation. One of the major changes introduced is the elimination of physical submission of procurement requests. Government agencies now submit procurement documents electronically, allowing faster processing and reducing paperwork.
The BPP chief noted that the digital marketplace will work alongside other technology-driven reforms currently being rolled out by the bureau. Among these reforms is the upgrade of the Contractors and Consultants Service Provider (CCSP) database.
The improved system will classify contractors based on their capabilities, qualifications, and experience. This means contractors will only be allowed to bid for projects that match their approved category and level of competence. The move is expected to improve project delivery and ensure that contracts are awarded to qualified firms.
In addition, the bureau has introduced a central monitoring platform designed to track government projects, public assets, and procurement personnel nationwide. Through this system, the BPP has already registered more than 4,000 procurement officers across Nigeria.
According to Adedokun, the database enables the bureau to identify where procurement officers are working and ensure they are properly carrying out procurement responsibilities in line with established regulations.
The Federal Government is also developing a National Procurement Transformation Strategy that will guide procurement reforms over the long term. The strategy will cover federal, state, and local government institutions and is expected to strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the use of public resources.
As part of the new measures, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will be required to publish details of contract awards every month on their websites and on the BPP portal. They will also submit quarterly reports on project implementation and procurement performance.
The government believes these reforms will improve public access to procurement information, enhance oversight, and ensure projects are executed according to contract terms.
Adedokun emphasized that the reforms align with the Federal Government’s goal of using technology to improve governance, reduce corruption risks, and ensure value for money in public spending.
The BPP has also indicated that contractors who violate procurement rules may face blacklisting as authorities intensify efforts to promote accountability and discipline in public contracting across the country.
