Of CIPSMN’S Circus Show, Presidential Census, And, National Development, By Ndagi Bello El’Sudi
POLITICS DIGEST — Lately, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria, (CIPSMN), the umbrella body of practicing and aspiring practitioners has been in the news. Sadly, for the wrong reasons. Somehow, this position has been further strengthened by the generality of those in the profession and technocrats in other related sectors. Presidential censure on the CIPSMN’s (Establishment ) Amendment Bill has not only drawn public attention, but also generated commentaries from respected members of the constituency. Further, it has led to widespread criticisms and condemnation of the “arrowheads” of the CIPSMN’s moves – described as a non-ingenious attempt to assume a position it does not deserve, by law. According to reports, President Bola Tinubu withheld assent to the Bill for some pertinent reasons which bothers on legal issues, ethics, and operations.
From media reports, President Tinubu declined assent to the Bill because some of the amendments sought were full of irregularities and illogicalities. This includes – seeking to give the Institute powers beyond its statutory mandate; attempting to foist itself as the Regulator; seeking to be empowered to exercise control over inspection of organizations, sanction employers, and assume compliance functions over entities and companies; seeking some other powers which clearly exceeds the Institute’s scope. Others are the phony insertions of new sub-clauses which seeks to confer powers and control on the Institute which are clearly beyond its brief; seeking subtle control of incorporated entities and organizations in the appointment of Head(s) of Procurement, and other related activities.
Indeed, there are empirical reports that the Bill, at different stages of legislative inquisition, and other attempts by promoters of the hideous plot had suffered several thumbs-down by relevant agencies and stakeholders in 2007, 2024, and 2025. Serially, many of the amendments sought were roundly defeated with convincing, logical, and legal submissions. This includes Section 1(c) which conflicts directly with Section 5(k) of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007, which gives powers on training, education, and examination of procurement professionals to the Bureau of Public Procurement, (BPP) – and is already doing it; Section 12 will bring it in conflict with global standards, and also the provisions of the PPA. Among other things, the CIPSMN is accused of trying to undermine existing laws through institutional over-reach; attempting to cause institutional overlap; attempting to breed regulatory confusion and legal conflict.
Somehow, this latest development has brought to the fore, the CIPSMN’s ‘leadership’ beef with the BPP. The Bill, which from inquiries does not have the blessings of the majority of members, has been on the works since 2007. A major stakeholder who pleaded anonymity confessed that, “honestly, I didn’t know that the ‘owners’ of CIPSMN are still bent on their selfish and immoral agenda of forcefully taken over procurement activities in Nigeria, and pigeon-hole professionals.” A senior official in a federal government agency declared that, “one wonders why these persons are being too difficult and mischievous. Why are they resolute in destroying and derailing the harmonious working relationships between the BPP and professionals? It is time they drop these machiavellian tactics and embrace meaningful collaboration for national growth, and personal development of members.”
Some stakeholders are at a loss about the fierce-grip and authocratic control of the ‘officials’ over CIPSMN. Further checks reveal shocking discoveries that demand immediate attention by relevant agencies. As presently constituted, though the Institute has a Governing Council – which includes Ministries of Investment, Trade & Industry; Education; and Finance, the Council have not met for years. The Institute has been under the control and manipulation of two individuals for about 20 years; who are reportedly cousins – they both function interchangeably as President or Registrar, and Secretary or Head of Secretariat or National Coordinator. A member of the Institute in one of the Federal Ministries who craved anonymity lamented that, “the men operate like the lord of the manor as they take unilateral decisions at all times. The Institute’s account has never been published, and there has never been any attempt to interpret the CIPSMN Act since 2007 – which are flagrant disobedience.”
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Ideally, the Legislature being the fulcrum of democratic governance ought to be thorough, detailed, and diligent in the enactment and amendment of any Bill or Act. The scale and speed of the passage of the Bill gives serious concerns. How did the contentious Bill, with numerous obnoxious amendments pass through the legislative binoculars of our resourceful lawmakers? Why would the Senate and House give the go-ahead for presidential assent to a Bill which encumbered subsisting Act of the Legislature? Why the haste and rush? One believes that since the Legislature is the bedrock of meaningful reform policy and process, lawmakers should do their best to ensure that clear, cogent, and coherent legal frameworks are provided – wholly, without ambiguities to agencies involved. The agencies should enjoy some legislative protections – where legally possible – towards ensuring that no other agency or entity encroaches or breaches the Act establishing and guiding responsibilities. Pity, the reverse happened.
Prior to Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, there were procedural errors, operational defects, and bureaucratic infractions in public procurement expenditures. It was bad and battered. Successive administrations made efforts to tinker with the systems for improvement. This led to the enactment of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007, which empowered the BPP to harmonize, set standards and guidelines towards ensuring professionalism in public procurement. Also, the Bureau is given regulatory authority for monitoring and oversight of public procurement; ensuring transparency, competition, and value for money in government contracting. In addition, it has responsibilities to regulate and strengthen Nigeria’s procurement governance; advancing ethical standards, and institutional integrity of the public procurement system; ensuring professional regulation through certification and licensing of federal procurements; upgrading procurement processes towards meeting global standards.
Since its establishment in 2007, the BPP has undergone various stages of evolution, particularly in the last two years. Under the leadership of Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, it has emplaced necessary templates for improving and deepening public procurement. The BPP has been a strategic institution in driving meaningful infrastructural development, sectoral transformation, economic growth, and national development through transparency, probity, and corporate governance. Leveraging on the political will provided by President Bola Tinubu, the BPP has posted many milestones. This includes saving the country over N200 bn, $155m, €1.7m through its upgraded Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO); domestication of and efficient procurement policies in public service in conformity with best global practices; effective and results-yielding procurement processes through its collaboration with the World Bank, European Union, and other development partners.
Others are barment policy and sanctions on contractors for shoddy and low quality jobs; fostered bid cycles, reduced leakages and waste expenditures, and improved public access to contract data through its Digital Transformation & Transparency Policy, Nigeria E-Market, e-government procurement system, and other IT-based platforms; emplaced procurement policies which gives preference or access to disadvantaged groups; ensuring the participation of marginalized groups in public contract opportunities; strengthening inclusive growth in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Conscious of the important roles of Permanent Secretaries, (PS) – as the chief accounting officers in Federal Ministries in the procurement circle, the BPP revived – after 4 years stoppage – the National Retreat for PS, and also improved its scope, contents and objectives.
The programme was held in Uyo, and attended by virtually all the PS, and other very senior officials in MDAs, as well as some top officials of the Akwa Ibom State Government. The testimonials of some of the participants confirmed that the Retreat was hugely successful. Pleading anonymity, one confessed that, “this programme was an eye-opener to many of us who never knew that such synergy is absolutely necessary to positively drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.” A colleague declared, “before now, I never knew that the BPP is doing so much for national development…I now realize that MDAs and the Bureau must be in sync towards ensuring meaningful growth and development.” While corroborating, another participant advised that, “the Retreat should be more regular for maximum results, also, the BPP should expand the scope of participation to the sub-national government – States, this would percolate the benefits of effective public procurements across the country.”
Back to the CIPSMN Bill. Having done a holistic review and comprehensive studies on the matter, it is imperative for the Institute to focus on its core mandate and not embark on a wild goose chase. Public Procurement is beyond P & S. Wondering the intentions of the promoters of the Bill, a management staff in the private sector who pleaded anonymity commended, “President Tinubu for withholding assent, because if he did, it would have destroyed the gains recorded by his government; through BPP in project deliveries, derailed the huge foreign direct investment coming to Nigeria, and sour the integrity of our corporate governance structures because the Bill negates all known professional ethics practices in the world.”
In many ways, the Bill – as coupled by the purveyors has exposed their insidious, knavish, and invertebrate penchant for influence-peddling, power-hunger, and attention-seeking. Spineless and wishy-washy, it is an agglomeration of recalcitrant miscalculations, conjured misinformation, and calculated mischief which deserves a festoon of sarcasm, self-deception, and perdition. Another stakeholder was unequivocal, “in fact, the Bill should be completely repealed and buried to put finality to the intransigence of two individuals whose actions are causing unnecessary tensions and overheat in the procurement sector, that may affect the pace of achievements recorded by the government – if not checked immediately.” Perhaps this counsel may be instructive!
* NDAGI BELLO EL’SUDI, a Public Policy Analyst based in Abuja.
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