We're not corrupt, BPP fires back at Critics

By emmanuel MALAGU

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has dismissed allegations circulating in parts of the media and on social platforms accusing its leadership of corruption and monetisation of Certificates of No Objection.

This is according to a statement by Zira Nagga, BPP’s Head of Press and Public Relations in Abuja.

Nagga described the allegations as false, malicious and aimed at misleading the public as well as undermining the integrity of the agency.

“We state unequivocally that neither the  Director-General, Adebowale Adedokun, his Chief of Staff, Olanrewaju Obasa, nor any senior official had engaged in corruption, financial misconduct or abuse of office.

The BPP operates strictly under the guidelines of the  Public Procurement Act, 2007 with transparent, multi-layered and digitally monitored systems that make such allegations not only baseless but practically impossible without detection.”

He said recent reforms introduced by the bureau, particularly tighter procurement reviews, stricter enforcement of due process, blocking of leakages and benchmarking of inflated contract prices had saved government funds and disrupted entrenched interests.

“These measures have led to the exit of disgruntled personnel unable to adapt to the new reforms.

“It is, therefore, not unexpected that beneficiaries of the previously compromised system may resort to blackmail, petitions and sponsored media narratives in an attempt to smear the leadership of the bureau.”

Nagga highlighted several reforms undertaken in the last year, including the introduction of affirmative procurement, creation of a Price Intelligence Unit, Procurement Surveillance and Audit Units, and a Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.

He said that the BPP had advanced the implementation of the Nigeria First Policy, and expanded the participation of small and medium-scale enterprises in public procurement.

Nagga said that the bureau had also strengthened contractor classification and categorisation, which would become fully operational in January 2026.

According to him, this is aimed at ensuring that contractors undertake  projects in line with their verified technical and financial capacities.

He said that the BPP welcomed any investigation by relevant authorities, and is prepared to provide all required documents, financial records and institutional logs, noting that all official transactions were audited, transparent and traceable.

Nagga urged the public to disregard sensational or misleading reports, and called on media organisations to verify information before publication so as not to erode public trust or damage reputations.

He reaffirmed the bureau’s  commitment to transparency, professionalism and service to the nation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“No amount of blackmail or misinformation will deter us from strengthening the procurement system and upholding the integrity of public financial management,” he said.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline