By Victor Akaa.
The Nigerian Army has taken a significant step towards bolstering its operational capabilities by overhauling its defence procurement process.
The development was taken today during a Directorate of Procurement Fourth Quarter Seminar,held at Tukur Buratai Auditorium,Army War College Nigeria in collaboration with Lathad Consulting Nigeria Limited.
This move prioritizes comprehensive needs assessment and resource alignment to ensure the army is well-equipped to tackle the country’s security challenges.
In his remarks, the Acting Chief of Army Staff (AG COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede emphasized the importance of adapting to Nigeria’s economic fluctuations in defence procurement.
The seminar, themed “Adapting to Nigeria’s Economic Fluctuations in Defence Procurement: Options for the Nigerian Army,” aimed to enhance understanding of military procurement processes and generate solutions.
Represented by Chief of Training (Army), Major General Sani Mohammed, Lieutenant General Oluyede acknowledged the support of procurement process facilitators and stakeholders in building an efficient system aligned with international best practices.
He noted that since its establishment in 2015, the Directorate of Procurement has efficiently carried out its functions, resulting in improved equipment holding, timely provisioning, and infrastructure development.
He said the Nigerian Army recognizes the enormous security challenges facing the nation and is committed to partnering with other services to decisively address these threats.
According to him, the army’s focus is on repositioning its force through extensive needs assessment and efficient fund utilization.
The seminar featured lectures by renowned resource persons and interactive sessions, demonstrating the army’s commitment to enhancing its operational effectiveness.
Eliciting further, the Acting COAS declared that the enormous security challenges facing the nation demand all Nigerians and allies to forge a formidable team to tackle the myriad of threats adding that NA will continue to partner with other Services to decisively address all threats to Nigeria while ensuring a conducive atmosphere for economic prosperity to thrive.
The acting COAS expressed gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unflinching support to the NA, the Honourable Minister of Defence for his untiring support of the NA Procurement Process and all partners for tirelessly supporting and facilitating Nigerian Army’s requests amidst competing issues.
Earlier, the Director Procurement, Major General Adeyinka Adereti highlighted stakeholder’s vital roles in military hardware and logistics procurement and emphasized areas of concern impacting Nigeria’s economy.
Director Procurement, stated that the seminar is designed to enhance understanding of military procurement process in dynamic regulating policies and generate solutions for the NA Procurement Process.
He expressed gratitude to acting COAS, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for providing logistics support for the Seminar and principal staff officers of the Army Headquarters for their untiring support to the Directorate of Procurement. The seminar featured series of lectures by erudite resource persons and interactive session.
