Senate Urges Tougher Oversight to Boost Transparency in Procurement
The Nigerian Senate has called for stronger oversight mechanisms and tighter compliance monitoring across federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to enhance transparency and accountability in the nation’s procurement processes.
This comes after a motion was sponsored by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) during Tuesday’s plenary session, expressing concern over rising reports of contract inflation, bid manipulation, and procedural violations within government procurement systems.
Bamidele noted that the Public Procurement Act (2007) was established to ensure value for money, but weak enforcement and limited transparency have continued to expose the system to abuse.
“Many MDAs still circumvent due process, leading to inflated contracts, abandoned projects, and massive revenue leakages,” he said. “There is an urgent need for the National Assembly to intensify oversight and compel strict adherence to procurement regulations.”
Several lawmakers echoed similar sentiments, stressing that Nigeria’s procurement process must be modernized through digital tracking platforms and open contracting data standards to reduce opportunities for corruption.
Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), a former governor, emphasized that the lack of transparency in procurement is one of the biggest obstacles to efficient public spending.
“Until procurement processes become fully transparent, Nigeria will continue to lose billions to mismanagement and fraud,” Aliero stated.
The Senate thereafter resolved to mandate its Committees on Public Procurement and Anti-Corruption to strengthen monitoring frameworks and collaborate with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to ensure compliance with the law.
It also urged the Federal Government to review and digitize the procurement system, allowing real-time public access to contract information to promote citizen participation and scrutiny.
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