Procurement: BAVCCA To Submit Evidence of Alleged Corruption To EFCC

The Bloggers and Content Creators Association of Nigeria (BAVCCA) has announced plans to submit petitions and supporting evidence of alleged corruption in parts of Nigeria’s public procurement system to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

BAVCCA President, Mr Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at the 2026 BAVCCA/Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Procurement Performance Conference.

Chukwunyere said the association, in collaboration with the Council of Independent, Civic, Monitoring and Digital Investigations, had uncovered what he described as “deeply troubling patterns of wrongdoing” within parts of the public system.

He said the organisations would formally submit detailed petitions to the EFCC, identify government institutions allegedly implicated and draw the attention of the anti-graft agency to the alleged infractions.

“BAVCCA and the Council of Independent, Civic, Monitoring, and Digital Investigations have uncovered deeply troubling patterns of wrongdoing within parts of the public system.

“In line with our commitment to accountability, we shall be formally submitting detailed letters and evidence to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, naming implicated government institutions, and drawing attention to observed acts of corruption,” he said.

According to Chukwunyere, the planned petitions are part of the association’s commitment to transparency and accountability, stressing that public institutions should remain subject to scrutiny.

“We believe that no institution is above scrutiny, and that transparency must be matched to the consequences where necessary,” he added.

Chukwunyere also highlighted the role of digital media in explaining government reforms, monitoring public institutions and countering disinformation.

He urged bloggers and content creators to adhere to accuracy, balance, verification and proper context when reporting on public affairs.

While commending ongoing reforms by the BPP, he called for stronger and more structured collaboration among the procurement regulator, media organisations, civil society groups and the digital content community.

“We believe there is a need for stronger and more structured engagement between BPP, the media, the civil society, and the digital content community,” he said.

He said such collaboration would strengthen procurement education, public awareness, responsible monitoring and citizens’ understanding of government reforms.

Chukwunyere identified capacity gaps, resistance to change, data manipulation, data-related challenges and enforcement as some of the major challenges confronting procurement reforms.

“Our objective should therefore be simple, to move from reform to implementation, from implementation to measurable results, and from results to public confidence,” he said.

The BAVCCA president also announced plans to expand the association’s civic engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections through the organisation of government and presidential debates.

According to him, the debates would provide political candidates with opportunities to present their manifestos, policies and programmes directly to Nigerians.

He urged citizens to participate actively in the electoral process by registering to vote, obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards and making informed choices based on competence, character, capacity and credible programmes.

Chukwunyere also appealed to politicians and their supporters to reject incitement, violence and divisive rhetoric as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a keynote address, the Director-General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, described public procurement as more than an administrative process, saying it was a critical instrument for national development.

Adedokun, who was represented by the Director of Civil Infrastructure, Engr. Nasir Bello, said the success or failure of the procurement system had a direct impact on citizens and the country’s development.

“Procurement is not merely a government process, it is a development instrument, an economic driver, and a powerful catalyst for national transformation,” he said.

He explained that public procurement remained one of the major channels through which government resources were translated into infrastructure and other development outcomes, including roads, hospitals, schools, security infrastructure and agricultural programmes.

“When procurement succeeds, citizens benefit. When procurement fails, development suffers. This is why procurement reform is not simply an administrative exercise, it is a national imperative,” he said.

Adedokun disclosed that the bureau was implementing what he described as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious procurement modernisation programmes, anchored on digital transformation, professionalisation, compliance and strategic management of public expenditure.

He identified the electronic government procurement system, EGP, as one of the major reforms, saying it would automate key procurement processes across government institutions.

According to him, the system is expected to reduce manual intervention, strengthen audit trails, improve transparency, facilitate real-time monitoring and generate reliable procurement data for evidence-based decision-making.

He stressed that the reform was “not simply digitization” but a broader transformation of the procurement system.

The BPP boss also highlighted the government’s Nigeria First policy as an important component of procurement reform, arguing that public spending should stimulate local industries, create jobs, promote innovation and retain economic value within the Nigerian economy.

“Government spending must not merely purchase products and services. It must create opportunities. It must strengthen the industry. It must retain value within our economy,” he said.

Adedokun further emphasised the need to professionalise procurement management, strengthen compliance and oversight, and expand procurement opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises, women-owned businesses, youth-led enterprises and other underrepresented groups.

On the role of digital media, Adedokun urged bloggers, content creators and digital journalists to become active partners in promoting transparency and accountability in public procurement.

“You are no longer mere observers. You are drivers of public discourse. You are amplifiers of information. You are partners in accountability,” he said.

He encouraged content creators to help Nigerians understand not only what government spends, but also why and how public funds are spent and the development outcomes expected from such expenditure.

The conference, themed “Celebrating Successes, Identifying Challenges, and Charging Solutions for Public Procurement Reforms,” featured panel discussions and interactive sessions on procurement reforms, transparency and accountability.

The event also featured the presentation of the BAVCCA Man of the Year Leadership Award to BPP Director-General, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, who was also decorated as an ambassador of the association.

Other awards and recognitions were presented to leading content creators for their contributions to procurement advocacy, transparency and public accountability.