Speaking during the NDDC Procurement Policy Reform and Digitisation Stakeholders Sensitisation and Training Summit in Port Harcourt, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, described the initiative as a step in the right direction.
Adedokun said the transition to paperless governance had become necessary as the government seeks to modernise its operations, reduce delays, cut waste and improve the speed of service delivery to citizens.
He noted that public procurement was central to the implementation of government policies and must therefore adopt modern tools to improve productivity and public trust.
According to the DG, “procurement lies at the heart of public service delivery. It determines how resources are allocated, how projects are executed, and ultimately, how development reaches our people.”
He emphasised the need for inter-agency collaboration to ensure a smooth transition to digital operations, stating that the reform aligns with President Tinubu’s administration’s broader agenda to build a more responsive, innovative and citizen-focused public sector.
In his speech, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the sensitisation workshop was part of the Commission’s efforts to build capacity, enhance institutional knowledge, and adopt innovative solutions aligned with global best practices in governance and service delivery.
He noted that the NDDC was implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and bringing it to life in the Niger Delta region. He commended the BPP for supporting the Commission and facilitating the speedy completion of projects.
Ogbuku observed that the workshop came at a critical time when public institutions across Nigeria were embracing reforms to improve governance systems, eliminate inefficiencies, and strengthen public trust.
He said that by empowering stakeholders, contractors, and service providers with the right knowledge, the NDDC would accelerate development and create lasting value for communities in the Niger Delta.
He affirmed that the NDDC had moved from transaction to transformation, stating: “We are not only reforming, but we are also transforming the Niger Delta region.”
According to him, “Central to this reform is the transition from manual, paper-based systems to a fully digital platform that enhances accessibility, reduces delays and minimises opportunities for corruption.”
He emphasised that digitising the procurement process was not merely a technological upgrade but a critical government reform. He stated: “By embracing digital tools, we are promoting transparency, improving service delivery and ensuring that public resources are managed more responsibly.”
Speaking earlier, the NDDC Director, Procurement, Dr Chuks Osuji, said the policy reform and digitisation initiative was a critical step towards improving workflow, eliminating inefficiencies and ensuring transparency, efficiency and accountability in the Commission’s procurement process.
He noted that modernisation and digitalisation were not merely about adopting new technology, “it is about changing mindsets, enhancing transparency, reducing human interference, and ensuring value for money in all procurement activities.”
According to him, all contractors doing business with the NDDC would henceforth be required to engage with the Commission through the online procurement platform, which would also provide an effective feedback mechanism for stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the NDDC contractors and consultants, Dr Maraizu Uche, commended the digitisation initiative and assured that they would cooperate with the Commission to ensure a seamless transition.
He appealed to the NDDC to review its payment system to eliminate undue delays in the payment for executed contracts.
The NDDC training workshop, with the theme: “Promoting Best Procurement Practices and Digital System for the NDDC, was held in the nine states of the Niger Delta region.
