The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in managing public resources within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Heads of Federal Tertiary Institutions, Agencies, Bursars, and Procurement Directors held on Tuesday, 4th November 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Alausa emphasized that effective procurement practices are essential to improving infrastructure, ensuring value for money, and strengthening public trust in the education system.
“Procurement is not just about spending money; it is about ensuring value, accountability, and impact,” he stated, commending the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, for his leadership and partnership with the Ministry in upholding due process and integrity in public expenditure.
Dr. Alausa explained that the meeting aimed to deepen understanding and compliance with existing procurement laws and procedures. He announced that all institutions are required to adopt the Nigerian Government Research and Education Network (NgREN) for ICT-related projects and use the Federal Education Procurement Online Reporting System (PCORS) to enhance transparency and efficiency.
The Minister further directed that procurement officers must not be redeployed or replaced without BPP approval and that all expenditures—including internally generated revenue, donations, and consultancy funds—must be included in approved procurement plans. He urged institutional heads to demonstrate leadership by ensuring full adherence to these directives.
In his remarks, BPP Director-General Dr. Adebowale Adedokun commended the Ministry for its proactive collaboration and described the engagement as a vital step toward institutional accountability. He cautioned that non-compliance with procurement regulations attracts serious sanctions, disclosing that over 300 cases of procedural violations and project defaults are currently under review.
Dr. Adedokun stressed that the Bureau’s role is not punitive but corrective—geared toward helping institutions achieve efficiency through lawful, transparent practices. He underscored that procurement must serve the ultimate beneficiaries—the students—by ensuring effective and timely service delivery.
The Director-General also announced the enforcement of the “Nigerians First” policy, mandating institutions to prioritize indigenous service providers and technologies such as NIGCOMSAT for internet connectivity. He added that only certified procurement professionals are permitted to manage institutional procurement activities, declaring that “the era of business as usual is over.”
In a goodwill message, Mr. Osita Chidoka, Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and former Minister of Aviation, hailed the initiative as a timely and strategic move to strengthen governance and accountability in the education sector. He described procurement as a vital tool for institutional excellence and urged tertiary institutions to embrace technology-driven, data-based systems that promote openness and efficiency.
Mr. Chidoka expressed confidence that the ongoing reforms by the Ministry and BPP would establish a new benchmark for accountability and performance across Nigeria’s higher education system.
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management across all its institutions, pledging continued collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement and relevant oversight bodies to ensure that procurement processes are transparent, compliant, and aligned with the goal of delivering quality education for all Nigerians.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
