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The Centre for Public Accountability (CPA) has said reforms introduced by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) have saved Nigeria more than N1.1 trillion through improved procurement processes, digital monitoring and efforts to curb inflated contract costs across government institutions.

The civil society organisation made the claim on Saturday while presenting the findings of its Independent Service Delivery Assessment Report on selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with a special focus on the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Presenting the report, the Executive Director of CPA, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, said the organisation’s assessment found that the BPP, under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, had embarked on some of the most significant procurement reforms since the enactment of the Public Procurement Act in 2007.

According to him, one of the most impactful initiatives identified by the assessment was the establishment of the Price Intelligence Unit and a digital benchmarking framework, which he said had generated estimated savings of over N1.1 trillion by eliminating inflated quotations and improving value-for-money assessments in government contracts.

“The system has reportedly delivered savings estimated at over N1.1 trillion through real-time benchmarking and elimination of inflated quotations. The CPA considers this initiative a major anti-corruption mechanism capable of significantly reducing procurement leakages in government,” Lawson said.

He noted that the Bureau had undertaken a series of reforms aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and accountability in public procurement administration, describing the efforts as a major step towards aligning Nigeria’s procurement framework with global best practices.

The report highlighted the revision of procurement thresholds and operational guidelines that had remained unchanged for years, saying the reforms had reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, improved procurement timelines and enhanced administrative efficiency across MDAs.

The CPA also commended the Bureau for introducing revised Standard Bidding Documents, which it said had improved procedural uniformity, increased transparency and reduced opportunities for manipulation within procurement processes.

Lawson praised the development of the Nigeria First Policy Framework, designed to prioritise local content, indigenous manufacturers, small and medium enterprises, women-owned businesses and local service providers.

According to him, the policy has the potential to support economic diversification, create jobs and deepen economic inclusion.

The organisation also identified the establishment of a National Debarment Policy as one of the landmark reforms introduced by the Bureau, noting that it provides, for the first time, an enforceable sanctions regime against fraudulent, unethical and non-performing contractors.

“This reform represents a significant deterrent against procurement fraud and an important measure for safeguarding public resources,” he said.

The assessment applauded the Bureau’s decision to restore the administrative mobility function of procurement officers, arguing that the move had strengthened professionalism, enhanced institutional independence and improved compliance across government agencies.

On digital reforms, the organisation commended the migration of procurement submissions to an online platform, saying the initiative had reduced physical bottlenecks, minimised human interference and improved transparency in procurement operations.

The report also acknowledged efforts to professionalise procurement practice through training and certification programmes.

According to CPA, more than 4,000 procurement officers have undergone structured capacity-building programmes, while over 2,700 officers have been certified under the National Procurement Certification Programme.

Other reforms identified in the report include the deployment of the National Procurement Officers Management System (NAPOMS), the creation of a contractor classification and database system, affirmative procurement initiatives for women, youths and persons with disabilities, as well as the development of sector-specific procurement frameworks.

Lawson said the Bureau’s ongoing work on the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS), undertaken with international development partners, demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement and global benchmarking.

Based on its findings, CPA expressed confidence in the current leadership of the Bureau and urged stakeholders, development partners, and government institutions to support ongoing reforms.

The organisation also called on the National Assembly to expedite consideration of proposed amendments to the Public Procurement Act to strengthen the country’s procurement governance framework.