ABU Moves To Strengthen Collaboration With Bureau Of Public Procurement

Ahmadu Bello University has presented a proposal to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between both organisations.

The proposal was presented when the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, led a high-level delegation on a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the Bureau, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Prof. Ahmed said the University considered it important to formalise its longstanding relationship with the Bureau through a Memorandum of Understanding that would provide a sustainable framework for cooperation.

He said ABU had developed a proposal outlining opportunities for deepening collaboration, including the establishment of a jointly supported Executive Education Programme in Public Procurement hosted by the University's Public Procurement Research Centre (PPRC).

According to him, the programme is intended to complement existing professional certification initiatives by developing the strategic, managerial and leadership capacities of senior procurement practitioners.

Other proposed areas include integrating the PPRC into the sustainability framework of ABU's World Bank-supported SPESSE initiative, expanding regional training and capacity development, supporting procurement reforms and e-Government Procurement, and developing appropriate training infrastructure.

The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the Bureau's contribution to the development of the University's SPESSE programme, especially in designing the academic curriculum and delivering train-the-trainer programmes. He disclosed that the PPRC had trained more than 4,300 procurement practitioners through over 35 programmes, while SPESSE trained 3,303 professionals during its first phase (2023-2026) and a further 1,200 since the commencement of its second phase.

Responding, the Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for the visit and said he would accept ABU's proposal and set up a team to review and sign an agreement. He described ABU as the North's best university with the pedigree to host a Centre of Excellence.

Dr. Adedokun proposed the introduction of a zero-credit unit course on sustainable procurement and expressed readiness to work with the institution on procurement reforms.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Bello Sabo; Registrar, Dr. Aliyu Dalha Kankia; Bursar, Malam Yahaya Hussaini; Centre Leader, SPESSECE, Prof. Wisdom Japheth; Director, PPRC, Dr. Muawiya Abubakar; and other officials.