…champions shift from compliance to performance
The Association of Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON), Oyo State Chapter, has successfully held its Inaugural Procurement Capacity Workshop and Official Launch, bringing together procurement professionals, public-sector leaders, policymakers, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders to deepen professionalism, accountability and performance in public procurement.
The landmark event, held under the theme: “Advancing Public Procurement Practice in Nigeria: From Compliance to Performance,” provided a strategic platform for stakeholders to examine emerging trends, challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s public procurement ecosystem, while emphasising the need to move beyond mere regulatory compliance towards measurable value, efficiency, transparency and improved service delivery.
According to a press statement signed by APPON Director, Media & Publicity, Com. Ralph OGUNSANYA, and made available to The Frontier today,
the event also marked the official inauguration of the Oyo State Chapter of APPON, further strengthening the Association’s presence and professional network in the state and reaffirming its commitment to building the capacity of procurement practitioners across Nigeria.
National President welcomes participants, inaugurates oyo chapter
In his welcome address, the National President of APPON, Dr. Emem Kanico James, expressed profound appreciation to the government and people of Oyo State, distinguished guests, procurement professionals and stakeholders for their support towards the successful establishment of the Oyo State Chapter.
Dr. Kanico reiterated APPON’s commitment to promoting professionalism, ethical standards, competence and continuous capacity development among procurement practitioners.
He emphasised that the future of public procurement in Nigeria requires practitioners who are not only conversant with procurement laws and regulations but are also capable of delivering value for money, efficiency, innovation and tangible development outcomes.
The National President subsequently performed the official inauguration of the Oyo State Chapter of APPON, charging the newly inaugurated executives to uphold the values of professionalism, integrity, accountability and service to the procurement profession.
He further encouraged the chapter to become a strong professional platform for continuous learning, collaboration and knowledge sharing among procurement practitioners and stakeholders within Oyo State.
Keynote Address: From compliance to performance
The keynote address on the theme of the workshop, “Advancing Public Procurement Practice in Nigeria: From Compliance to Performance,” was delivered on behalf of the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, by his representative at the event, Engr. Mrs. Eugina Ojeah.
The keynote presentation provided an insightful perspective on the evolution of public procurement practice in Nigeria and the urgent need for the procurement system to transition from a predominantly compliance-driven approach to one that places greater emphasis on performance, outcomes, value creation and national development.
The address highlighted the importance of strengthening procurement professionals through continuous capacity building, improving institutional systems, enhancing planning and contract management, promoting accountability and ensuring that public procurement delivers optimal value to government and citizens.
The keynote further underscored the strategic role of procurement as a critical instrument for economic development, rather than merely an administrative process for acquiring goods, works and services.
Goodwill Messages from state procurement authorities
The workshop also received goodwill messages from distinguished representatives and heads of procurement regulatory institutions from Kogi, Lagos, Kwara, Oyo and Ogun states.
Their contributions demonstrated the growing recognition of professional collaboration and knowledge sharing among procurement institutions across states. They commended APPON for creating a platform that brings practitioners and regulatory authorities together to strengthen procurement systems and promote best practices.
The goodwill messages also reinforced the importance of inter-state collaboration, continuous professional development, institutional strengthening and adherence to the principles of transparency, accountability, competition and value for money.
Recognition of excellence and service
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of Special Recognition Awards to distinguished individuals and institutions whose leadership, contributions and support have advanced public administration, procurement professionalism and institutional development.
Special recognition awards were presented to:
– His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Executive Governor of Oyo State;
– The Secretary to the Oyo State Government;
– The Head of Service, Oyo State;
– Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement;
– The heads of BPP/PPA from Kogi, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Kwara States;
– Dr. Emem Kanico James, National President, APPON;
– Selected National Officers of APPON who were present at the inauguration; and
– Other distinguished stakeholders whose contributions have supported the advancement of procurement professionalism and public-sector effectiveness.
The awards were presented in recognition of outstanding leadership, commitment to professionalism, institutional support, accountability, efficiency and the advancement of sound public procurement practices.
Recognition of chief accounting officers and Oyo chapter stakeholders
In further recognition of outstanding contributions to public-sector administration and procurement development, awards were also presented to selected Chief Accounting Officers of government agencies in Oyo State for their support towards effective procurement administration and institutional performance.
The newly inaugurated Oyo State Chapter Executives of APPON were equally recognised for their commitment, dedication and efforts towards establishing a vibrant professional chapter capable of contributing meaningfully to the advancement of procurement practice in the state.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) was also honoured for its dedication, coordination and tireless efforts in ensuring the successful planning and execution of the inaugural workshop and official launch.
APPON reaffirms commitment to procurement excellence
The successful inauguration of the Oyo State Chapter represents another significant milestone in APPON’s ongoing efforts to expand the frontiers of procurement professionalism across Nigeria.
The Association reaffirmed that the procurement profession must increasingly be viewed as a strategic function of government and organisational management, capable of influencing project delivery, economic growth, institutional efficiency, job creation and improved public service delivery.
APPON therefore called on procurement professionals across the country to embrace continuous learning, innovation, ethical conduct and performance-oriented procurement practices, while working collaboratively with government institutions, regulatory agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
The Association noted that moving “from compliance to performance” requires a collective commitment to ensuring that every procurement process delivers its intended objective, achieves value for money and contributes meaningfully to national and sub-national development.
The Oyo State Chapter is expected to build on the momentum generated by the inaugural workshop by providing continuous professional development opportunities, facilitating knowledge exchange and strengthening collaboration among procurement professionals and relevant public-sector institutions within the state.
The event concluded on a strong note of renewed commitment to building a procurement system that is professional, transparent, accountable, efficient, performance-driven and capable of delivering sustainable value to government and the Nigerian people.
