In a significant move to strengthen procurement capacity across Africa, Ben Farrell, MBE, Group CEO of the UK-based Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), is visiting Nigeria to lead a high-level engagement aimed at advancing procurement excellence and sustainability in the region.
Farrell’s visit marks a strategic milestone in CIPS’ mission to drive professional standards, ethical practices, and resilient supply chains across developing economies. His presence in Nigeria underscores CIPS’ growing commitment to supporting African nations in building more effective and sustainable procurement systems.
The highlight of Mr. Farrell’s visit is the CIPS Nigeria Symposium taking place in Abuja on June 3, 2025, under the theme “Driving Value and Sustainability in Resource-Limited Settings via Strategic Procurement.” The event is expected to draw senior procurement professionals, policymakers, development partners, and private sector leaders. Participants will engage in practical dialogues on how strategic procurement can deliver maximum value even in environments constrained by limited resources.
“Procurement is not just a transactional function; it’s a key driver of development, accountability, and public value,” Farrell noted. “In today’s volatile global landscape, especially in low-resource settings, ethical and strategic procurement is essential for resilience, growth, and service delivery.”
Beyond the symposium, Mr. Farrell’s itinerary includes high-level meetings with stakeholders from government ministries, donor agencies, and private sector institutions. These discussions will focus on procurement reforms, capacity building, and the integration of ethics and professionalism into public procurement systems, aligning with Nigeria’s broader development agenda.
A critical area of engagement during the visit is the CIPS Health Procurement Africa programme, an initiative designed to strengthen health systems across the continent. Mr. Farrell will advocate for its integration in Nigeria’s healthcare procurement strategy, highlighting its potential to enhance access, affordability, and availability of life-saving health products.
Farrell’s visit aims to reinforce CIPS’ long-term objective of elevating global procurement standards with an emphasis on Africa. The Institute is seeking to build enduring partnerships that support professional development, bolster supply chain resilience, and promote sustainable practices that directly contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As Nigeria continues to prioritize transparency and accountability in public service delivery, Mr. Farrell’s visit is both timely and transformative. It sets the tone for deeper engagement between CIPS and Nigerian institutions, with a shared vision of transforming procurement into a strategic lever for national development. END
