The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is set to host a three-day in-house procurement training for its procurement officers and relevant staff across its system. The training, which will run from October 8th to 10th, 2024, at NASENI’s headquarters, aims to enhance the capacity of its staff and ensure compliance with global procurement standards and the Nigerian Procurement Act of 2007.
The workshop will target not only procurement officers but also personnel from departments such as Accounts, Audit, Legal, Media, Planning, and others involved in procurement activities across the agency. The initiative seeks to build the technical skills necessary for efficient procurement operations within NASENI’s unique focus on science and engineering.
NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, will deliver the keynote address, while Olusegun Omotola, Acting Director General and CEO of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), will officially open the training.
The program is designed to ensure that NASENI aligns with the 2007 Procurement Act and global procurement practices. According to NASENI’s Director of Procurement, Dr. Mohammed A. Mohammed, the training is tailored to address the agency’s specific procurement needs, which differ from other sectors due to its focus on science and engineering infrastructure.
“Technology and procurement practices are evolving globally, and we must keep pace,” Dr. Mohammed stated. “The unique nature of NASENI’s work demands specialized procurement approaches, different from those used by other sectors. This training will equip our officers to handle procurement activities more efficiently and in line with our mandate.”
Dr. Mohammed also emphasized that procurement is a process governed by law from start to finish, and ongoing capacity building is essential. The training will feature resource persons from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), as NASENI has partnered with the BPP to provide expert guidance and ensure that its officers are up to date with the latest global procurement standards, including the World Bank’s revised procurement procedures.
Speaking on the upcoming training, BPP consultant Mr. Adekoya Olatunji highlighted the importance of ensuring strict adherence to procurement regulations. “This in-house training will provide NASENI officers with the tools to adhere strictly to the Procurement Act, enabling them to execute their duties effectively,” Olatunji said.
The training, themed “Building the Best Procurement Operations in NASENI System-Wide,” will cover key topics such as effective procurement practices, procurement planning, record-keeping procedures, and contract agreement implications, ensuring that NASENI remains on the right track in its procurement operations.
