A new International Centre for Procurement, Governance, Integrity and Assurance is set to position Nigeria as the leading hub for procurement expertise in the ECOWAS region and beyond, following a strategic partnership between the Bureau of Public Procurement and Yakubu Gowon University of Abuja.
The collaboration was formalised during a high profile courtesy visit by the University's leadership team to the Bureau of Public Procurement, with both parties committing to creating a Facility that rivals those at Oxford or Harvard.
Director General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale A. Adedokun, and the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Yakubu Gowon University, Senator Dr Prince Olanrewaju Tejuosho, led their respective teams in expressing firm commitment to the landmark initiative.
Dr Adedokun described the University, which recently transitioned from the University of Abuja, as a citadel of knowledge at the seat of power and emphasised the strategic role the new International Centre in the Federal Capital Territory will play in supporting Federal Government activities under the "Renewed Hope" Agenda.
He explained that while the Bureau of Public Procurement collaborates with six Centres of Excellence primarily through the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement project, the new centre will have a unique mandate to provide real time data analytics and research.
"The establishment of this Centre sends a loud statement to Nigeria that our institutions are aligning to ensure meaningful impact in governance. Leaders of thought and political leaders must find it necessary to return to the University to imbibe the latest policy frameworks that drive our economy forward," Dr Adedokun stated.
He highlighted that the partnership aligns directly with the BPP's mandate under Sections 5(a), 5(s), and 4(d) of the Public Procurement Act 2007, which requires the Bureau to lead capacity building, professional development and the mainstreaming of ethical behaviour.
Dr Adedokun disclosed that international technical assistance is already being lined up to support the centre, which he envisions as a global hub where ministers and chief executives from across Africa and the world, including developed nations like the UK, Germany and the USA, can "learn, unlearn, and relearn" global best practices in public procurement.
Senator Dr Prince Olanrewaju Tejuosho, the Pro Chancellor, expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting that in the public sector, people may end up in prison for lack of knowledge. He stated that oversight work by parliamentarians would be significantly enhanced if they had the opportunity to have gone through a Centre of Excellence like this, knowing exactly what to look for in their duties.
The Senator praised Dr Adedokun's proactiveness and confirmed that the University, named by the DG as a "Citadel for Procurement Excellence," has already identified a take off location and developed structural plans for the nstitute.
Vice Chancellor Hakeem Fawehinmi pledged that the University would "walk the talk" to ensure the Bureau was proud of the partnership, emphasising that as the only public University in the FCT, Yakubu Gowon University is uniquely positioned to drive the country's development.
Dr Adedokun announced that the BPP would lead an international seminar at the University in April 2026 as a precursor to its convocation ceremony to officially launch the Centre's activities.
He issued a firm charge on quality, declaring, "I will not accept a substandard structure. This facility must be ranked alongside those at Oxford or Harvard. It is better to build one facility that stands the test of time in quality and technology than to build ten with the hope of renewal or reconstruction later."
