The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has offered to make available its Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) and the International Cost Management Standard (ICMS) framework to support the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in its ongoing procurement reforms.

President of the institute, Dr Aminu Bashir, made the offer during a courtesy visit to the Bureau’s headquarters in Abuja. He said the May 2026 circular mandating completion of final designs before contract awards would help address recurring challenges, such as excessive contract variations and cost overruns.

Bashir also referenced the Bureau’s reported savings of about N1.1 trillion for the Federal Government in 2025, achieved through improved price intelligence and budget evaluation, describing the outcome as consistent with the cost management principles long advocated by the quantity surveying profession.

The NIQS president further conveyed the institute’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for withholding assent to the proposed amendment to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) Act.

According to him, the decision addressed concerns raised by the institute over possible overlaps between the proposed legislation and the statutory responsibilities of existing procurement-related professions, warning that such duplication could weaken public accountability.

Bashir also commended the Director-General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, for the progress recorded in the Bureau’s ongoing procurement reforms, citing initiatives such as the launch of the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services.

He urged the Bureau, as the nation’s procurement regulator, to ensure that the statutory roles of existing professional bodies, including quantity surveyors, remain clearly defined as new procurement frameworks are developed.

Responding, Adedokun welcomed the NIQS delegation, describing the visit as one that “gladdens my heart.”

He acknowledged the contributions of quantity surveyors to the Bureau’s reform initiatives and said the current phase of procurement reform focuses on outcomes rather than on compliance with processes alone.

According to him, the Bureau’s approach is now centred on “output, value for life and value for money,” instead of merely measuring inputs. The organisations also discussed areas of continued collaboration, with the NIQS reiterating its readiness to contribute to the work of the National Procurement Strategy Development Committee.