The Federal Government has warned that public officials and contractors involved in procurement fraud will face sanctions and prosecution.
The warning issued by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, comes as the federal government intensifies efforts to strengthen accountability in public procurement.
Akume spoke at the 2026 permanent secretaries’ retreat organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, according to a statement on Sunday.
Speaking at the retreat, the SGF said procurement remains critical to ensuring public resources are managed efficiently.
“These aspirations cannot be realised through budget appropriations alone but must depend on disciplined implementation, prudent financial management, and a procurement system that delivers value for money,” he said.
Akume said the federal government would ensure that “anyone involved in procurement fraud is duly prosecuted”.
Adebowale Adedokun, director-general of the BPP, said the bureau has introduced 23 reform initiatives since he assumed office to modernise Nigeria’s procurement system.
He said the reforms include the proposed amendment of the Public Procurement Act 2007, the development of a national procurement strategy framework, revised procurement thresholds, community-based procurement, contractor classification, and the rollout of electronic government procurement (e-GP).
Adedokun said the bureau’s improved price intelligence and budget evaluation saved the federal government about N1.1 trillion in 2025, with average weekly savings of N8 billion since January 2026.
“Roads are constructed through procurement. Hospitals are equipped through procurement. Schools are built through procurement. Therefore, the quality of procurement determines the quality of governance,” the director-general said.
The BPP boss said permanent secretaries, as accounting officers, bear ultimate responsibility for compliance with the Public Procurement Act.
He also warned that the bureau has introduced administrative sanctions for erring procurement officers and a debarment policy to blacklist contractors who violate due process.
Adedokun also urged ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to publish contract awards on their websites and on the BPP portal to improve transparency.
On her part, Didi Walson-Jack, the head of the civil service of the federation, said procurement sits at the centre of governance because it connects policy, budgeting, and service delivery.
“It is the point where policy, budget, leadership and service delivery meet. When procurement works well, the government delivers. When procurement is delayed, weak or poorly managed, citizens feel the consequences,” she said.
She urged accounting officers to prioritise due process, value for money, and timely project delivery.