Efficiency Management Firm Trains 15 Bauchi NGOs on International Procurement Standards

In a significant move to bolster accountability and operational efficiency within the non-profit sector, Efficiency Management Consulting Firm has commenced a two-day capacity building workshop for 15 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Bauchi State. The training, which began on Thursday, July 24, 2025, focuses on equipping participants with international standard practices in procurement processes.

The workshop aims to help the participating NGOs align their activities with global best practices and mirror the principles of the Nigeria Procurement Act. This is crucial for strengthening their credibility and ensuring transparent and efficient use of funds, particularly those from international donors.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ogunnupe Olushiga, the Convener and Lead Facilitator for Efficiency Management Consulting Firm, explained the core objectives of the training. “The training is to increase the capacity of not-for-profit sector partners or workers to bring them up to international standards in procurement practice,” Olushiga stated. He added that while the Nigeria Procurement Act is not strictly mandatory for NGOs, the workshop encourages them to ensure their policies and procurement activities are in tune with national policy and international standards, which align with requirements from organizations like the World Bank and other donor agencies.

The training modules are designed to benefit procurement, administration, finance, compliance, and programme officers. Participants will learn how to build fraud-resistant, audit-ready, and value-driven procurement systems. Olushiga also highlighted the growing emphasis on eco-friendly and energy-efficient procurement processes in line with new global and national frameworks.

Patricia James, a Legal Procurement Consultant, also present at the event, listed various existing laws and regulations that would guide the organizations, including the Public Procurement Act 2007, Bauchi State Public Procurement Law 2020, and the World Bank Procurement Regulations 2023, among others that promote ethical procurement.

Commending the initiative, Nura Mohammed, the Director General of the State Agency for Sustainable Microfinance in Bauchi, expressed confidence that the participants would effectively put the acquired knowledge into practice. He also reiterated the state government’s commitment to financial inclusion, stating that all Micro-credit Revolving Fund facilities would henceforth be channeled through Participating Financial Banks down to the grassroots.

The capacity building workshop is expected to significantly enhance the operational integrity and financial management capabilities of NGOs in Bauchi, enabling them to attract more funding and deliver impactful projects with greater transparency and accountability.