APPON advocates transparent, tech-driven procurement systems

The Lagos State Chapter of the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria has called for stronger, transparent, and technology-driven procurement systems as a critical tool for achieving sustainable development and economic growth.

A statement by APPON on Sunday stated that the call was made at the 3rd edition of the Capacity Building Workshop organised by the Lagos State Chapter of the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria, with the theme “Strengthening Procurement System for Sustainable Development.”

Delivering the keynote address, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Adebowale A. Adedokun, emphasised that clear rules, digital processes, and accountability are essential to building a sustainable procurement system. “For a strong and sustainable procurement, there must be clear rules and guidelines. The rules must be clear to all of us,” he said.

Adedokun stressed the need for a balance between cost and quality, as well as a focus on long-term impact. “We must balance between the cost and quality. We must be interested in sustainability and long-term impact. Your generation should recognise that there are generations coming behind us,” he said.

Highlighting the role of technology, he said the adoption of e-procurement remains non-negotiable. “We are overriding for e-procurement. We have no excuse not to be doing that at this point in the life of procurement in Nigeria,” he stated.

He added that digital procurement systems would help reduce corruption and improve transparency. “We need to promote automation to reduce human-to-human contact… so we can reduce corruption to the bare minimum,” he said.

Adedokun also called for inclusive procurement practices that support small businesses and vulnerable groups. “We need inclusive bidding opportunities, support for SMEs, and the underrepresented groups. This is affirmative procurement,” he noted.

On sustainability, he urged stakeholders to adopt environmentally responsible practices. “Environmental preservation, social responsibility, and economic resilience must be taken seriously,” he said.

Speaking on reforms, Adedokun advocated policy alignment with global standards. “Develop national sustainable procurement policies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially responsible consumption and production,” he said.

Also speaking, Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Fatai Onafowote, described procurement as a strategic driver of national development rather than a routine administrative function. “Strengthening procurement systems is not merely an administrative reform; it is a catalyst for achieving national and global sustainable development goals,” he said.

“A well-designed and efficiently managed procurement system drives economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental management, ensuring that public resources deliver maximum long-term value,” he added.

Onafowote noted that adopting transparent and sustainability-focused procurement practices would help build resilient economies. “As countries adopt more innovative, transparent, and sustainability-focused procurement practices, they build resilient economies capable of withstanding global shocks and improving the quality of life for citizens,” he said.

He further urged procurement professionals to be deliberate in their actions and uphold ethical standards. “Every action that you take… must lead to development, job creation, accountability, fairness, and competition,” he said. “If you are not deliberate, a lot of things will go in the wrong direction.”

In her remarks, General Manager, GSSC/CPO, MTN Nigeria, Adeola Oduntan, highlighted the benefits of digital procurement in enhancing efficiency and trust. “E-procurement provides transparency, improved supplier competition, and enables a more efficient use of resources,” she said.

She added that digital systems have proven effective globally in reducing procurement cycle times and improving outcomes. “Digital procurement will not only save money — it will restore trust and accelerate development,” she said.

Oduntan noted that aligning procurement processes with sustainability frameworks and local content policies would empower indigenous suppliers and strengthen economic inclusion.

Stakeholders at the workshop also emphasised the need for continuous capacity building, peer learning, and knowledge sharing among procurement professionals to keep pace with global best practices.

They agreed that procurement has evolved beyond a compliance-driven activity to a strategic function that influences economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

The workshop brought together public and private sector stakeholders, with a renewed call for deliberate action, institutional reforms, and technology adoption to ensure Nigeria’s procurement systems support long-term national development.