BPP boss advocates greater women inclusion in nation-building at UN event
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, has called for more women’s inclusion in nation-building.
Adedokun made the call at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on Saturday.
According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday, by the media consultant to the DG, Oladapo Sofowora, Adedokun made the call during a panel session titled “Dream Without Limits: Women in Leadership,” where speakers shared insights on women leadership and systemic barriers limiting their growth.
The panel featured the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Mary Alile, among others.
In his remarks, Adedokun emphasised the need for more women to break through glass ceilings that hinder their professional growth.
He linked this to the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to create more opportunities for women in leadership and nation-building.
He also reaffirmed the BPP’s commitment to fostering an inclusive procurement process that enables women to take on leadership roles.
He announced plans to relax certain eligibility criteria, ensuring more women in the public sector gain equitable opportunities to participate in procurement.
“To realise our goals in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we will partner with the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Through advocacy, we will enable women to participate in some levels of procurement exercises,” he stated.
Speaking further, the statement noted that he emphasised that competency remains the primary criterion for participation in procurement.
“Any woman involved in procurement exercises must possess the requisite legal competencies,” he asserted, highlighting the importance of professionalism in the sector.
He also stressed the need to change societal perceptions of women in leadership, advocating for a culture where women do not have to fight for recognition or emphasise their gender to gain equal treatment.
“Under my leadership, we will change that narrative for good, empowering women and providing them with a decisive advantage to compete effectively in all procurement opportunities within our sector,” he stated.
