FG Makes Procurement Certification Mandatory for Federal Civil Servants
The Federal Government has approved mandatory professional certification for officers in the Procurement Cadre across the Federal Public Service.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, announced the policy in a circular dated August 26, 2026, directing Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure compliance.
Under the new policy, the National Public Procurement Certification Programme (NPPCP), administered by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), would serve as the mandatory professional certification for officers in the Procurement Cadre.
The move, according to the HCSF, was part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism, competence and accountability in the Federal Public Service.
The certification is expected to establish a common professional competency standard for procurement officers.
It is also to enhance their capacity in procurement planning and procedures, public procurement laws and regulations, contract management, ethics, compliance, accountability and value for money.
The circular clarified that the Procurement Cadre covers officers formally appointed to the cadre as well as those performing procurement functions in Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies in line with approved schemes of service and applicable regulations.
It also stated that the NPPCP certification would complement, rather than replace, academic and other professional qualifications prescribed under existing schemes of service.
Officers would however,still be required to meet applicable academic qualifications, years on grade and other conditions for appointment and career progression within the Procurement Cadre.
The HCSF directed all MDAs to ensure that procurement officers obtain the appropriate level of NPPCP certification corresponding to their grade levels and functions, in accordance with the certification framework established by the BPP.
However, serving procurement officers had been granted a 12-month moratorium from the date of the circular to obtain the required certification.
During the transition period, affected officers may remain in their current positions or be appropriately deployed, provided they present verifiable evidence of enrolment in the relevant NPPCP certification programme.
They must also demonstrate satisfactory progress towards obtaining the certification within six months of the circular.
The circular further warned that upon expiration of the 12-month transition period, possession of the relevant NPPCP certification would become a requirement for deployment to positions or roles within the Procurement Cadre across the Federal Public Service.
The BPP is expected to work with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to provide technical information and guidance on the certification programme.
This would include details on the curriculum, certification levels, eligibility and entry requirements, examination and assessment arrangements, competency areas and implementation framework.
The circular, which took immediate effect, was addressed to senior government officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, heads of federal commissions and agencies, as well as chief executives of treasury-funded extra-ministerial departments and agencies.
The HCSF directed the affected institutions to bring the new requirement to the attention of all relevant staff for guidance and strict compliance.(https://newsatlarge.ng)
