The Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, has made a passionate call for collaboration between procurement experts and strategic leaders to block the deepening holes of financial waste draining Nigeria’s resources.
Speaking on Thursday in Port Harcourt at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered), Adedokun didn’t mince words when he described corruption and mismanagement as a “monster” threatening the country’s progress. According to him, procurement without strategy is like fighting a lion with bare hands.
“Without proper strategists working closely with procurement specialists, we may not be able to conquer the big monster that affects our nation,” he said, warning that continued resource wastage could cripple Nigeria’s development ambitions.
With the conference themed “Strategic leadership in a disruptive economy: Driving sustainable national development,”the BPP boss stressed the urgency of aligning leadership, innovation, and transparency, especially during a time when public trust is fragile and expectations are high.
Adedokun explained that the BPP isn’t just focused on making procurement more transparent—it’s redefining it. He revealed that the federal government’s reforms have broken the old cycle of “business as usual”, and are now laying the foundation for stronger hospitals, better schools, and a more reliable financial sector.
He also addressed a lingering misconception around the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“It is a vision,” he said. “But that vision cannot deliver itself. Strategists must take the lead in implementing it.”
Dr. Adedokun didn’t stop there. He pledged that the BPP will collaborate with the institute to drive out quacks who exploit the system and undermine national progress.
“This is perhaps the most critical point in our national history,” he stated. “Nigerians are not asking for miracles; they’re asking for value—for accountability, for transparency.”
In his prepared speech later shared with the audience, the DG reminded participants that public procurement is not just about buying things—it’s about building a nation.
“Procurement controls over 60% of Nigeria’s public spending. Done right, it delivers roads, schools, and hospitals. Done wrong, it breeds corruption, failed projects, and hopelessness.”
He emphasized that every naira spent through procurement belongs to the Nigerian people, and it must create jobs, support local businesses, and drive inclusion.
Quoting management legend Peter Drucker, Adedokun said:
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”
“Strategic procurement leadership means doing the right things—with courage, integrity, and innovation,” he concluded.
As Nigeria continues navigating economic uncertainty, his message was clear: Procurement must become a tool for development, not a loophole for looting. The call to action? Everyone—government, professionals, and citizens—must work together to ensure that public spending becomes a driver of hope, not waste.
