Civil Society Assessment: BPP, ICPC Emerge Among Tinubu Administration’s Best-Performing Agencies

…….Lagos roundtable highlights procurement reforms, ₦1.1 trillion savings and the imperative of sustained public accountability

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have emerged as the most creditable performers among assessed government institutions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, following an Independent Service Delivery Assessment conducted by a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations.

The findings were highlighted at a roundtable held in Lagos, attended by notable civil society leaders who examined the performance of selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), focusing on transparency, accountability, institutional efficiency and service delivery.

The engagement provided an opportunity to evaluate how government institutions are translating their mandates into measurable outcomes, particularly amid the Federal Government’s economic reforms and efforts to strengthen public financial management.

While acknowledging the responsibilities and activities of various agencies, the reported outcome particularly distinguished the BPP and ICPC for their contributions to protecting public resources, promoting accountability and strengthening institutional safeguards against corruption.

The Bureau of Public Procurement, under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, attracted particular recognition for reforms aimed at reducing procurement costs, eliminating waste and strengthening transparency in government contracting.

One of the most remarkable reported achievements is the approximately ₦1.1 trillion saved for the Federal Government through procurement reforms in 2025, as reported publicly by the Bureau. The savings underscore the potential of effective procurement regulation to protect scarce public resources and create additional fiscal space for national development.

The Bureau has strengthened price intelligence and cost benchmarking mechanisms to identify inflated contract estimates and ensure that government projects reflect realistic market prices. These interventions are designed to reduce unnecessary expenditure while promoting value for money in public procurement.

Other significant initiatives include the digitalisation of procurement processes, the introduction of revised Standard Bidding Documents, improvements to procurement guidelines and the development of electronic procurement systems to enhance efficiency and reduce opportunities for manipulation.

The Bureau has also pursued a National Debarment Policy to strengthen accountability for contractors involved in serious misconduct and improve compliance with procurement regulations.

Capacity building has equally featured prominently in its reform agenda, with procurement officers undergoing professional training and certification aimed at improving competence, ethical standards and adherence to due process.

Beyond the financial savings, these reforms have broader implications for governance. Transparent procurement processes can reduce corruption risks, improve competition, strengthen investor confidence and ensure that public expenditure delivers better infrastructure and essential services.

The assessment’s recognition of the BPP therefore reflects the importance of institutional leadership and effective regulatory oversight in ensuring that public funds are deployed responsibly.

The ICPC was also recognised for its critical role in promoting integrity in public service and combating corruption.

Through its investigative, enforcement and preventive responsibilities, the Commission contributes to efforts to address abuse of office, protect public resources and strengthen ethical standards across government institutions.

Its role is particularly important in public procurement, where weak oversight and corrupt practices can expose government finances to substantial losses.

The Commission’s recognition reinforces the need for sustained anti-corruption efforts, professional investigations, effective enforcement and stronger collaboration among regulatory agencies, law enforcement institutions and civil society.

For the roundtable participants, the performance of the ICPC and BPP demonstrates the importance of institutions that combine regulatory oversight with practical interventions to protect the public interest.

The roundtable also examined the broader responsibilities of government agencies under President Tinubu’s administration, stressing that public institutions should be evaluated not merely by policies announced or activities undertaken, but by their measurable impact on citizens.

Agencies responsible for infrastructure, economic regulation, social services, public administration and national security must demonstrate efficiency, accountability and responsiveness to public needs.

The assessment provides an opportunity to identify successful practices, expose institutional weaknesses and encourage improvements in service delivery.

The reported emergence of the BPP and ICPC as leading performers is therefore significant, but the broader objective remains the improvement of performance across the entire public sector.

A major highlight of the Lagos roundtable was the participation of notable civil society leaders committed to strengthening democratic accountability and promoting responsible governance.

The coalition emphasised the importance of sustained engagement with public institutions, noting that independent assessment should not be treated as a one-off exercise but as part of a continuing process of monitoring, dialogue and constructive advocacy.

Civil society organisations play a vital role in amplifying citizens’ concerns, scrutinising public policies and encouraging government agencies to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

Through continued engagement, the coalition seeks to encourage institutions to consolidate their achievements, address shortcomings and adopt practices that improve public service delivery.

The roundtable’s outcome presents an opportunity for the BPP and ICPC to consolidate their achievements while encouraging other government institutions to strengthen their performance.

For the BPP, sustaining procurement savings will require effective enforcement of regulations, improved project monitoring, wider adoption of digital systems and continued professional development. Crucially, reduced contract costs must translate into quality projects and tangible benefits for Nigerians.

For the ICPC, continued vigilance, effective preventive measures and credible enforcement remain essential to strengthening public confidence in the fight against corruption.

Ultimately, the significance of the Lagos engagement lies in its determination to make public institutions more responsive, transparent and accountable.

By recognising measurable progress while sustaining independent scrutiny, the coalition seeks to ensure that public resources are protected, government policies deliver meaningful results and institutions remain focused on the greater good of Nigerians.