The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi has charged Chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEBs) on due process in their procurement activities.
This he said would ensure the safeguarding of the future of Nigerian children through the various educational projects in the states.
Bobboyi was speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the ongoing Capacity Building/Sensitisation Workshop for Executive Chairmen and Principal Officers of SUBEBs in the 36 States and FCT.
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The event, organised by UBEC, is
in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
Bobboyi underscored the importance of procurement in ensuring that schools have the necessary resources to deliver quality education.
He noted that the decisions made in procurement directly impact the learning environment of students.
According to him, the training was designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in procurement processes within the basic education sector.
“The training is a significant step towards familiarising participants with the rudiments of procurements and contemporary practices to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the procurement processes within the basic education system.
“As we all know, procurement is the backbone of any organisation, and in the realm of education, it plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our schools have the necessary resources to deliver quality education.
“The 2007 Procurement Act is a cornerstone of public procurement in Nigeria. It provides a comprehensive framework for conducting public procurement, ensuring fairness, equity, and value for money in all public transactions,” he said.
The executive secretary maintained that by adhering to the principles and provisions of this Act, there would be significantly improvement in the quality of education delivery through optimising the utilisation of public funds.
On his part, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, Executive Chairman, Kwara SUBEB and Dean, Forum of SUBEB Chairmen in Nigeria, said the workshop was long-overdue as it aimed at enhancing their efficiency and capacity in managing procurement processes.
Prof. Adaramaja said the training, which is the first of its kind since UBEC’s establishment, drew participants from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, underscoring its importance.
Adaramaja said the training would keep the Chairmen abreast of knowledge of procurement and how to ensure due diligence in their procurement activities at the state level.
“We’ve been informed that for procurement activities, anywhere where the national interest is more than 35 per cent in terms of contribution, the procurement Act of 2007 takes effect.
“And you see that for states, we do most of our activities through capital fund, 50 per cent from the state, 50 percent from the federal.
” So by that implication, you will see that the contribution of federal is already above 35 per cent, therefore, we need as SUBEB Chairmen to be abreast embrace with this procurement Act,” he said.
He added that the knowledge gained from the workshop would enable them to run away from any form of infractions that may likely come from not following the procurement Act.
Meanwhile, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Adedokun Adebowale, encouraged agencies of government to comply with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act of 2007.
Adebowale, represented by the Chief Procurement Officer, BPP, Engr. Abiodun Otunla, said the basis of this procurement act was to ensure transparency, competitiveness in procurement process.
He appealed to agencies of government to ensure that bids or contractors were selected through open competitive bidding.
He further advised SUBEB Chairmen to ensure that procurement units were created by aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate of sincerity and no favoritism in procurement process.
