The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the Bureau of Public Procurement have strengthened collaboration to standardise procurement practices, aiming to boost transparency, value for money and sustainable infrastructure growth in Nigeria amid renewed government commitment.
The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) have recently intensified calls for enhanced efficiency and transparency in project procurement to guarantee value for money and sustainable infrastructure development across Nigeria. This collaboration was front and centre at a two-day national workshop convened by the NIQS at the International Conference Centre in Enugu.
The event, themed “Standardizing Procurement Excellence by Enhancing Transparency and Efficiency through the Nigerian Bureau of Public Procurement Standard Bidding Documents,” gathered built environment professionals, project cost experts, and procurement advocates. It was chaired by Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff and NIQS member, with participation from notable figures, including the wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, QS Ezinne Catherine Oyeme.
Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, Director General of the BPP, emphasised the timeliness and strategic significance of the workshop, describing it as “a defining moment” in Nigeria’s journey to institutionalise procurement excellence. He called procurement reform “an imperative” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting procurement’s vital role in delivering shared prosperity, fairness, and opportunity for Nigerians amid tighter budgets and increasing infrastructure demands. According to Dr. Adedokun, repositioning public procurement beyond mere transactions into a transformative governance and business tool remains crucial for the country’s development.
Lt. Gen. Ihejirika underlined longstanding challenges with non-adherence to procurement standards, which have undermined investor confidence, hampered foreign direct investment, and fuelled corruption. In response, the federal government initiated the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligent Unit (BMPIU), later known as the Office of Due Process, in 2001, culminating in the Nigeria Procurement Act of 2007. This legislation, along with its amendments, provides a legal framework aimed at transparency, accountability, competitiveness, efficiency, and value for money in procurement across federal agencies. Ihejirika praised the collaboration between BPP and NIQS, describing quantity surveyors as not just participants but watchdogs in ensuring transparency and value, and he commended NIQS leadership for advancing professionalism that supports national development goals.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, invited to speak at the workshop, reinforced the crucial role of quantity surveyors in infrastructure development and called on NIQS to develop implementable procurement frameworks that guide both federal and state governments. He described quantity surveyors as “gatekeepers of integrity in project delivery,” recognising their expertise in cost control, project monitoring, value engineering, and management—skills he noted are pivotal for Nigeria’s infrastructural and economic transformation. Governor Mbah also highlighted his administration’s accomplishments in improving road infrastructure, education, security, and healthcare, citing significant projects such as the Enugu Airport flyover and the International Conference Centre itself.
Beyond the workshop, the NIQS continues to advocate for adopting best practices and standards to enhance cost management and transparency in construction. The institute’s President, Mr. Olayemi Shonubi, has called on members to adopt the International Cost Management Standard 3 (ICMS) to promote transparency in infrastructure project funding, improve stewardship of scarce resources, and attract private and multilateral investment. NIQS initiatives include the development of a comprehensive cost databank to bolster transparency and accountability in both public and private sector construction projects.
Overall, this evolving synergy between NIQS and BPP reflects a broader national push to institutionalise procurement reforms that prioritise transparency, accountability, and value for money. As infrastructure development remains a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth and societal well-being, these efforts aim to ensure that project procurement not only meets technical and financial standards but also fosters investor confidence and sustainable progress. However, the success of these reforms will depend on rigorous implementation of standards, robust oversight, and continuous collaboration among all stakeholders in the built environment sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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