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Why Nigeria’s Budgets Fail To Meet Aspiration Of Citizenry-CIPSMN

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…Task Tinubu on the inauguration of the National Council on Public Procurement

Joel Ajayi

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria CIPSMN has identified poor procurement expert engagements that would ensure transparency in the procurement of equipment remain the reasons why Nigeria’s budgets have been unable to meet the yearning of people over the years.

This is even, as the expert’s institute expressed grave concerns over the inefficiencies in the implementation of the nation’s Appropriation Acts by successive administrations thereby urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to inaugurate the National Council on Public Procurement (NCPP) without further delay.

President of CIPSMN Alhaji Sikiru Balogun stated this in Abuja at the investiture of its members and Annual General Meeting saying the dividends of democracy can be largely attained, through effective and efficient procurement planning policy, implementing strategies, and right service delivery anchored on accountability, competition, transparency.

He expressed concern over the inefficiencies in the implementation of the nation’s Appropriation Acts by successive administrations and called on President Bola Tinubu to look inward to clean the system.

According to him, the major problem in the system is giving personnel who are not inclined professionally in the field of procurement a task to do.

“This is also that with our law anybody who is not qualified by examination who is not satisfied by us to be competent should not be given any post to head any procurement department.

“We have observed that some people are mistaken and say purchasing is different from procurement, it is a big mistake.

He added that putting a square peg in a round hole had been a major problem that affected the conceptualization of the country’s budget.

On his part, the institute Registrar, Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu underscored the need to rid the country of corruption by ensuring that professionals manned relevant public offices.

“The dream of every organization is to progress to the next level and as far as the institute is concerned not mindful of the number of people that are present we are making progress.”

Meanwhile, the Zonal Coordinator for North Central, Abdul Mamman, expressed concern with the way the BPP trained officers for one week and issued them certificates without them knowing the nitty-gritty of procurement.

Mamman explained that a good number of people today in the country saddled with procurement functions do not have the certification.

“On the issues of the amendment being proposed to the Public Procurement Act, we tend to identify that its just a mistake on the part of the government.

“Because the CIPSMN is the institute established to train, certified by examination, conduct research and also establish bodies of people with the knowledge that are required for you to propel the procurement practice in Nigeria.

“As of today, executive order 5 which was passed by the last administration on Feb. 2, 2018, equally speaks to that effect whereas every professional in Nigeria should be recognized as it is done in another part.

“Specifically government intends to do amendment and we understand but one critical issue that the government needs to know is that the people that are proposing this, have participated in the implementation of the budget from the start to the end.

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Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy

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Joel Ajayi

After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors. 


He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.


Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel. 


“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities. 


“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.


Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves. 


On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on. 


“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.


International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story. 
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”


Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy. 


“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.


With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.

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