Enugu: The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, has urged the emergence of procurement lawyers to address corruption and procurement deficits in Nigeria. Adedokun, in a statement by his Head of Public Relations, Zira Nagga, made the call at the 65th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Enugu.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adedokun emphasized that lawyers must take ownership of the standard bidding document if procurement loopholes were to be eliminated and public resources utilized more effectively for national development. The director general recommended specialized training for lawyers on revised bidding documents, contract drafting, and procurement reforms to build capacity and curb corrupt practices in the system.

He highlighted that procurement remains a strategic enabler for national development, requiring transparent practices, anti-corruption measures, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver value to citizens. On infrastructure, Adedokun projected that Nigeria requires 100 billion dollars annually, and about three trillion dollars in 30 years, to close the country’s wide infrastructure gap.

He warned that without governance reforms, transparency, and institutional capacity, increased funding could result in waste, corruption, and policy inconsistencies. Adedokun urged the NBA to champion procurement reforms, saying procurement lawyers will play a vital role in ensuring accountability and bridging the infrastructure deficit.