The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) has warned that weaknesses in Nigeria’s procurement and supply chain management system are undermining efficient resource utilisation, value for money and economic development.

The Registrar of the institute, Prof. Mohammed Aliyu, said no nation or organisation could function effectively, grow or prosper without a sound, professionally managed procurement and supply chain system.

Aliyu, who spoke at the matriculation ceremony for Conversion Students of the 2026 Batch A Class of the institute in Lagos, urged the Federal Government to accord procurement professionals greater recognition and strengthen their role in public resource management.

He said an efficient procurement and supply chain system could reduce business costs, accelerate the delivery of goods and services, minimise waste and improve the competitiveness of local industries.

According to him: “An efficient procurement and supply chain management system drives economic growth by cutting business costs, speeding up product and service delivery, reducing waste and boosting trade competitiveness.

“When supply networks work appropriately well, companies save money, prices drop for buyers and local industries grow faster,” he said.

Aliyu said many procurement and supply chain professionals in the public sector were not receiving adequate attention under the scheme of service, limiting their capacity to perform their statutory responsibilities effectively.

He maintained that national development depended largely on efficient resource management through sound procurement and supply chain practices.

The Registrar also recalled that the World Bank’s Country Procurement Assessment Report (CPAR) 2000 provided the foundation for reforms that culminated in the enactment of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

He said, however, that several provisions and procedures introduced through the reforms had not been fully implemented, stressing that legislation alone could not guarantee a sustainable procurement system.

Aliyu said stronger political will and closer collaboration among government, businesses and professional bodies were needed to entrench professionalism, standardisation, research and effective implementation.

He urged the government and business owners to build stronger relationships with professional bodies and practitioners, particularly in resource management, to support economic development.

The Registrar said procurement and supply chain management should be treated as strategic functions rather than administrative processes because virtually every public and private organisation depended on them for effective resource utilisation.

He challenged the newly matriculated students to uphold the institute’s professional standards and acquire the knowledge and skills required to modernise Nigeria’s procurement and supply chain management system.