Ogun Assembly Speaker Backs Procurement Reforms, Commends APPON’s Accountability Drive

Elemide receives practitioners, stresses professionalism, institutional capacity and value for money in public spending

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Olusegun Elemide, has commended the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria(APPON) for its advocacy towards strengthening transparency, accountability and professionalism in public procurement, describing sustained engagement by professional bodies as vital to effective governance.

Elemide gave the commendation while receiving a delegation of the Ogun State chapter of APPON, which visited him as part of its stakeholder engagement ahead of the Association’s proposed Capacity Development, Chapter Inauguration and Institutional Development Programme, tagged The Procurement Clinic, Tourism and Awards, scheduled for November 25 and 26, 2026, in Abeokuta.

The Speaker’s commendation highlights the growing importance of professional expertise and institutional collaboration in ensuring that public resources are deployed responsibly, procurement processes are conducted transparently and government expenditure delivers measurable value to citizens.

Public procurement remains a critical component of governance, providing the framework through which governments acquire goods, execute projects and engage service providers.

The effectiveness of this process has direct implications for infrastructure delivery, public service quality, fiscal discipline and citizens’ confidence in government institutions.

Against this backdrop, APPON’s proposed programme is intended to advance professional capacity development and strengthen the institutional foundations of procurement practice in Ogun State.

The delegation was jointly led by the Interim Chapter Chairman, Mr Paul Ayoola Olutunde, FCPP, and the Association’s South-West Zonal Coordinator, Prince Ridwan Adewale Adekojo, who also chairs the CPC.

Other members of the delegation were Mr Akindele Akinrinmade Olumuyiwa, Provost; Mrs Bola Magbagbeade, Welfare Officer; Mr Sanu Omoronkeji, Financial Secretary; and Mrs Akinwunmi Adetoun Oluwatoyin, Chairperson of the Invitations, Correspondences and Protocol Subcommittee.

Introducing the delegation, Adekojo conveyed the goodwill and warm greetings of APPON’s National President, Dr Emem James Kanico, FCPP, CFIAR, IION, while outlining the purpose of the visit and the Association’s engagement with key stakeholders in the state.

Olutunde subsequently presented APPON’s mandate, emphasising its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, professional competence and value for money in public procurement.

He also sought the support and goodwill message of the Ogun State House of Assembly for the forthcoming programme, which is expected to provide a platform for professional engagement, institutional development and capacity building among procurement practitioners and relevant stakeholders.

In his response, Elemide praised the Association for its sustained advocacy, noting that professional engagement was important to improving procurement systems and strengthening institutional capacity.

He also underscored the relevance of initiatives that promote sustainable procurement practices and enhance public confidence in governance.

Although the visit was primarily connected to APPON’s forthcoming programme, it also provided an opportunity to underscore the relationship between professional procurement practice and the broader objective of responsible public administration.

Procurement decisions often determine not only how public funds are spent but also the quality, cost and timeliness of projects delivered to communities.

Weak procurement processes can expose public institutions to inefficiency, waste and diminished public trust, while transparent and professionally managed procedures can promote competition, accountability and better outcomes from government spending.

This makes capacity development particularly significant, as procurement practitioners require the technical competence, ethical standards and institutional support needed to navigate increasingly demanding public-sector responsibilities.

For the legislature, engagement with professional bodies offers an avenue for strengthening dialogue with practitioners whose expertise intersects with public expenditure, project implementation and institutional accountability.

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The engagement between Elemide and the APPON delegation therefore reflects the importance of collaboration between legislative institutions and professional associations in promoting effective public resource management.

As preparations continue for the November programme in Abeokuta, the Association’s engagement with the Assembly is expected to contribute to broader stakeholder awareness of the role of procurement professionalism in advancing transparency, institutional effectiveness and sustainable development.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of public procurement is measured not merely by compliance with established procedures but by whether public resources produce the intended benefits for citizens.

Strengthening professional standards, institutional capacity and accountability remains central to achieving that objective.