The Federal Government has taken another step toward reforming health sector procurement by certifying a new batch of professionals under the CIPS–HPA Nigeria qualification scheme.
The initiative, unveiled at a graduation ceremony in Abuja, seeks to cut down on waste, enhance transparency, and guarantee wider access to safe and affordable medicines.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the Country Director of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, Chukwudi Uche, and the CIPS Country Manager, Pharm. Omokhapue Joseph.
Speaking to the graduates, Dr. Adedokun emphasized that the certification signals both professionalism and integrity in procurement.
“Your success means that woman who requires basic health care and that child who needs basic medical drugs can feel assured that they will get standard prescriptions when they visit any health facility,” he said.
He further noted that the move would help curb malpractice in the sector.
“That we now have a crop of people who will say no to fake drugs, who will say no to inflation of contracts, and who will say no to wrong prescriptions is what this certificate means,” he added.
According to him, the government has already reviewed procurement thresholds in line with prevailing economic conditions, and also introduced standard templates and sourcing strategies specific to health procurement.
Adedokun urged all officers in the field to register with the National Procurement Officers Management System, stressing that only those captured on the platform would be recognised.
“If you are not there, you are not a procurement officer. You are a quack,” he declared.
Highlighting the economic impact of the reforms, CIPS Country Director, Chukwudi Uche, revealed that some participating states have recorded significant cost reductions.
“Through our support, some of these states have recorded about 40 to 50 per cent improvement in the cost of health products. The implication is that more Nigerians can now access affordable, quality-assured medicines,” he explained.
He added that by improving procurement practices, local manufacturers are now able to plan better and increase their investments, thereby strengthening the supply chain.
In his remarks, Pharm. Omokhapue Joseph explained that participants were drawn from federal and state institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Health, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, and the BPP.
“We see these officers as catalysts and change agents that can help regulators make better policies and guidelines to reform the health sector,” he said.
Joseph also pointed out that the Gates Foundation-backed programme was designed to tackle persistent weaknesses in health procurement by building technical capacity and strengthening accountability.
Officials at the event underscored that the ongoing reforms would streamline processes, eliminate duplication, and boost efficiency in health sector procurement nationwide.
