<b>BUREAU OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT IN NIGERIA: A CRITICAL APPRAISAL</b>

<b>Abstract</b>Mismanagement of resources and corruption are responsible for the persistence of poverty in Nigeria. This paper titled Bureau of Public Procurement and Implementation of Public Procurement Act in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal<b> </b>assesses the public procurement practice with the objective of suggesting how to enhance integrity and limit corruption in Public Procurement The paper adopted both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. Using a population size of 400 drawn fro the Bureau of Public Procurement Abuja which was reduced to a sample size of 200 respondents through simple random sampling technique, the paper found; among others that<b>; </b>despite the existence of the Public Procurement Act 2007, there is improper use of procurement method and this contributes in reducing competitiveness and value for money such that to a large extent, some contractors are excluded from participating in institutional tendering processes. Also, most institutions lack of a functional complaint mechanism to channel complaint of breach or omission of procurement rules and this reduces enforceability of rules. In conclusion, the paper is of the view that procurement laws should also cover measures to ensure the integrity of procurement officials and to protect whistleblowers. The paper therefore recommends that; the Bureau of Public Procurement should consider creating a Transparency Portal that can provide free real-time access to information on budget execution, as a basis to support transparency in public procurement; and Nigeria should consider establishing appropriate processes for complaint handling and sanctions on procurement, which should include effective and clear procedures for responding to credible suspicions of violations of laws and regulations relating to procurement.