The Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON) today officially opened its 6th National Conference and Annual General Meeting at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
The conference convenes procurement leaders, policymakers, regulators, private-sector stakeholders, and experts to evaluate reform progress and explore affirmative procurement measures to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Ceremony was declared open by the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, who also delivered the keynote address on the conference theme.
In his keynote, Adedokun reviewed national and state-level procurement reform milestones, underscored the importance of inclusive procurement practices, and urged stakeholders to accelerate implementation of affirmative procurement policies that improve SME access to public contracts.
“I congratulate APPON for prioritising SME inclusion in this year’s agenda,” Adedokun said.
“Affirmative procurement is a strategic tool to grow local capacity, create jobs, and ensure that public expenditure delivers maximum socio‑economic impact. The Bureau remains committed to supporting states and agencies to operationalize these policies effectively.”
APPON President Dr. Emem Kanico delivered the Presidential Address, praising ongoing reforms and calling for stronger collaboration across government, industry, and civil society to institutionalise transparency, efficiency, and fairness in procurement.
“Procurement reform is a collective responsibility,” Kanico said.
“When professionals, regulators, and policymakers work in concert, we can transform public procurement into a source of dignity and opportunity for Nigerian SMEs and citizens.”
Dr. Raphael Obinna Amalaha, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, delivered the welcome address, thanking delegates, sponsors, and partners for their support and outlining the conference’s goals to produce actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
The first technical presentation, “Procurement Reforms in Nigeria: Prospects & Challenges,” was delivered by Barr. Ehimoni Jagun Ibiyomi, Director-General, BPP, Kogi State, and Chairman of the Forum of State DGs.
Ibiyomi’s presentation highlighted state experiences, common implementation bottlenecks, and opportunities to harmonize reform efforts across federal and state procurement systems.
Distinguished attendees at the opening included:
HRM Oba Bankole Adeyefa, Paramount Ruler of Emure Ile Kingdom, Owo, Ondo State
Hon. Oliver Agbo, Director-General, BPP, Enugu State
Engr. Joshua Titus Sanga, Director-General, BPP, Bauchi State
Dr. Engr. Ine Fubara Briggs, Director-General, BPP, Rivers State
Chief Okoro Kelechi Clifford, Director-General, BPP, Imo State
Engr. Oyetola Babatunde Adesina, Director-General, BPP, Osun State
QS Raheem Abdulbaki, Director-General, BPP, Kwara State
Mrs. Ayinda Sarah Adi, representing the Director-General, BPP, Plateau State and other senior procurement officials, industry partners, and civil society representatives.
Conference programme highlights:
Plenary sessions examining the trajectory of procurement reforms nationwide
Panels on affirmative procurement frameworks and SME access to public contracts
Roundtables to draft an APPON Communiqué with recommendations for policymakers, the BPP, state procurement agencies, and development partners
Barr. Ibiyomi summarised the conference objective: “We must convert policy commitments into measurable outcomes. This conference will focus on practical steps ; legal, procedural and capacity-driven that expand SME participation while protecting value for money.
According to the association’s Director Media & Publicity, Comrade Ralph Ogunsanya in a chat with The Frontier, the conference will run through June 5, 2026, culminating in the adoption of a Communiqué and a set of practical recommendations to accelerate procurement reforms and increase SME inclusion.
