The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has announced the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, as the winner of its 2026 Human Rights Award in the category of Good Governance, following what the group described as an overwhelming and unanimous nomination by over 12,000 members of the association across the world.
In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in Abuja, HURIWA said the decision to confer the award on Adedokun was reached after a thorough internal nomination process in which members cited his longstanding contributions to transparency, accountability, and reform in Nigeria’s public procurement system.
The rights advocacy group stated that Adedokun emerged unopposed in the Good Governance category after members overwhelmingly endorsed his leadership credentials and decades of professional work aimed at strengthening integrity in the management of public funds.
The association noted that since his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Adedokun has demonstrated a clear commitment to repositioning the agency through reforms anchored on digital transformation, transparency, institutional efficiency, and strict adherence to due process in government procurement.
HURIWA said the nomination also reflects Adedokun’s extensive professional background spanning over two decades in public procurement reforms, policy development, and institutional capacity building.
According to the group, Adedokun’s career trajectory within the Bureau, including his previous role as Director of Research, Training and Strategic Planning, positioned him as a technocrat with deep institutional knowledge and practical experience required to drive reforms in the procurement sector.
The rights body highlighted several milestones that influenced the decision of its global membership, including his work as a National Consultant on procurement reforms for the United Nations Development Programme, his representation of Nigeria in the International Research Study on Public Procurement, and his role as a World Bank resource person on sustainable procurement practices.
HURIWA further noted that Adedokun has contributed significantly to capacity development within Nigeria’s procurement ecosystem, having trained over 4,000 procurement professionals across federal and state government institutions, thereby strengthening institutional compliance with procurement regulations and international best practices.
The association also commended his involvement in international development programmes, including his role as focal point officer for the UN Women initiative on women’s empowerment in procurement and his work as Project Coordinator for the SPESSE–World Bank Project, which aims to deepen expertise in procurement and public financial management.
HURIWA stated that Adedokun’s reform agenda at the Bureau—particularly his plans to deploy advanced electronic procurement systems, data-driven procurement monitoring mechanisms, and transparent bidding frameworks—aligns strongly with the principles of good governance and accountability which the organisation seeks to promote through its annual awards.
The group added that his policy direction encouraging open competition in government contracting, strengthened regulatory oversight, promotion of local content, and integration of sustainability principles in procurement decisions represents a significant step toward ensuring value for money in the utilisation of public resources.
HURIWA further said that Adedokun’s commitment to institutional development within the Bureau, including capacity building for staff and inclusive policies for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, also influenced the decision of its members to endorse him for the honour.
The organisation disclosed that the award will be formally presented during the 2026 National Human Rights Lecture, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, which is the last Wednesday of June, marking the 18th edition of the annual lecture series organised by the association.
According to HURIWA, the event will bring together professors, human rights advocates, lawmakers, and senior government officials, who will deliver keynote addresses and sub-lectures on governance, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties in Nigeria.
The group noted that in addition to the Good Governance award category won by Adedokun, the organisation will confer six distinguished human rights awards on individuals from both the public and private sectors who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to justice, transparency, and social responsibility.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Onwubiko, said the annual lecture and awards ceremony remains one of the organisation’s most important platforms for recognising leaders whose actions promote democratic governance and respect for the rule of law.
Onwubiko stated that the unanimous nomination of Adedokun by the association’s global membership underscores the widespread confidence in his leadership and reform-driven agenda at the Bureau of Public Procurement.
He added that HURIWA believes Adedokun’s stewardship of the procurement regulatory agency will further strengthen public trust in government contracting processes and reinforce transparency in the management of national resources.
The association congratulated the BPP Director-General and encouraged him to sustain the reform momentum aimed at transforming the Bureau into a globally respected procurement institution that advances good governance and economic development in Nigeria.
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