The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria has inducted 202 new members, including 199 Graduate Diploma holders and three Fellows.
The Batch ‘A’ 2026 induction, held on Friday at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, marked the formal entry of the new members into the procurement and supply chain profession.
In his address, the President of the institute, Sikiru Balogun, said the inductees were being called to greater responsibility.
He urged them to practise the profession guided by ethics, accountability and national development.
“This significant occasion marks your formal induction into the noble and ever-evolving field of Procurement and Supply Chain Management in Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed that the profession has evolved into a key driver of governance and economic efficiency.
“Procurement and Supply Chain Management is no longer a back office function; it is a strategic driver of value, transparency and accountability,” Balogun stated.
He tasked the new members to contribute to national development as well as take a stand against corruption.
“You should let the present state of the economy of our nation be your concern, strive to reduce corruption by advocating proper adherence to the functions of procurement and supply management,” he added.
Balogun also reminded them that the induction was only the beginning of their journey in the profession.
“Let me remind you that the induction is not the end of your learning journey; it is the beginning,” he said, while emphasising continuous professional development and adherence to global best practices.
Delivering the keynote address, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Prof Mohammed Aliyu, highlighted the role of procurement in promoting good governance.
“Promoting good governance demands more than rhetorical comments; it requires adherence to the rule of law, professionalism, due process, ethics, and robust financial systems,” he said.
Aliyu identified corruption and systemic inefficiencies as major challenges affecting governance in Nigeria.
He listed “corruption, inflated government contracts, nepotism, bid rigging, and financial indiscipline” among the issues undermining public trust.
“Public procurement and supply chain management concerns affect us all, regardless of who we are. The benefits of public programmes depend on how well procurement is managed,” he added.
He further noted the strategic importance of the profession in public spending.
“Procurement controls the largest percentage, sometimes 80–90 per cent, of the expenditures of many firms or government budgets,” he said.
Calling for reforms, Aliyu urged the Federal Government to strengthen institutional frameworks and oversight.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the sector.
“We call on Mr President to look into issues regarding procurement and supply chain management professionalism and direct the process for inaugurating the National Council on Public Procurement,” he stated.
He also warned against unregulated practice in the field.
“This has become everyone’s field to practise without the necessary prerequisite knowledge, giving room for fraud, corruption and bid rigging,” Aliyu said.
