The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has proposed the establishment of procurement certification and training programmes across the country, leveraging its planned network of at least 774 study centres nationwide.
The proposal was made by the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma O. Uduma, during a courtesy visit by the university’s management to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, in Abuja.
The visit provided an opportunity for both institutions to explore stronger collaboration in procurement training, professional certification, capacity building and compliance with public procurement regulations.
Uduma said the proposed partnership would strengthen NOUN’s ability to deliver on its national mandate while improving procurement knowledge and professional capacity across the country.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that the university’s procurement processes remained transparent, competitive and compliant with existing regulations.
“To deliver on our mandate, our processes must be competitive, accountable, and in compliance with public procurement rules,” Uduma said.
The Vice-Chancellor said closer collaboration with the BPP would also help NOUN streamline its procurement processes, reduce administrative bottlenecks and prevent delays in project execution.
He proposed the establishment and development of procurement certification programmes that could be accessed by professionals and other interested Nigerians across the country.
According to him, NOUN’s nationwide reach provides an opportunity to take procurement education closer to Nigerians, particularly through the university’s plan to establish at least 774 study centres.
Uduma noted that education and professional capacity building were essential to Nigeria’s economic sustainability and growth, stressing the need to equip citizens with relevant skills.
In his response, BPP Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, commended the NOUN management for the initiative and expressed the Bureau’s readiness to collaborate with the university.
Adedokun said stronger academic-industry partnerships were necessary to equip the next generation with practical knowledge and skills required to improve public administration.
He noted that the proposed partnership aligned with the Federal Government’s efforts to promote homegrown educational platforms and professional certifications under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigeria First Policy.
The BPP boss also highlighted the importance of knowledge and professional training in translating national policies into sustainable development.
He disclosed that the Bureau’s capacity-building section already operates a hybrid sustainable procurement programme established in partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC), with support from the World Bank.
According to him, the BPP was prepared to work with NOUN to establish hybrid study centres that would further strengthen the Sustainable Procurement Education and Skills (SPESSE) programme approved by the Federal Government.
The two institutions also discussed the need for a framework that would align NOUN’s expansion plans with public procurement regulations.
Such a framework, they said, would support the university’s expansion of digital infrastructure, study centres and learning resources while ensuring strict compliance with procurement rules.
The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen procurement capacity, expand access to professional certification and promote greater compliance with public procurement regulations across Nigeria.