The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has emphasized the need for reforms in the nation’s procurement system, particularly within the agricultural sector, to guarantee the inclusion of all key stakeholders and groups.
At a workshop themed “Inclusivity in Agriculture Procurement” held on Monday in Abuja, the BPP Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, noted that the discussions were timely, as the agricultural sector is seeking growth and must assume its rightful role in driving national economic development.
The event was organised by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with the International Budget Partnership and the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria, under the “Engaging for Systems Change and Transformation” project.
Represented by the Head of Research, Training and Strategic Planning at BPP, Adesina Mokuolu, Adedokun expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage in dialogue on promoting inclusivity, describing it as vital for both agricultural progress and national socioeconomic development.
He explained that inclusivity in agricultural procurement involves broadening access to decision-making, funding, and participation for all stakeholders, particularly women, youths, and vulnerable groups.
According to him, this requires deliberate policies and practices to ensure that smallholder farmers, women entrepreneurs, and rural communities are not excluded from benefiting directly from government investments in agriculture.
Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has reaffirmed the central role of agriculture in Nigeria’s economy, describing it as the backbone of national growth and the livelihood of millions, particularly women and small-scale farmers who remain custodians of land and food systems.
He, however, pointed out that persistent challenges such as limited access to credit, inadequate market information, and lack of fair competition continue to restrict meaningful participation in procurement opportunities.
According to him, overcoming these obstacles is not only a matter of fairness but also critical to achieving food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable national development.
Adedokun noted that structural barriers still exist within the procurement framework.
These include limited outreach and training for rural women and youth, insufficient support for smallholder farmer groups to compete effectively, as well as gender bias and bureaucratic hurdles in securing government contracts.
While acknowledging progress made, he highlighted that the BPP has already strengthened transparency, fairness, and competitiveness in public procurement, including within the agricultural sector.
Calling for renewed collective action, Adedokun urged participants to use the forum as an opportunity to reinforce their commitment to inclusive procurement and agricultural investment.
He appealed to policymakers, community leaders, and international partners to drive reforms, promote capacity-building, and amplify the voices of women and youth farmers in procurement processes.
He emphasized that building agricultural systems that are not only resilient and productive but also equitable would ensure that no group is excluded from Nigeria’s quest for food security and sustainable prosperity.
In his welcome address, Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere, stressed that agriculture remains the country’s largest employer.
He noted that greater transparency and accountability are needed across the sector to ensure that no group is sidelined and that poverty is addressed more effectively.
Onyekpere added that government policies and actions must have a direct impact on all players in the sector, while existing gaps in procurement processes should be bridged to guarantee inclusivity and fairness.
