BPP develops policy to boost women engineering firms in public procurement

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) are collaborating to create a new affirmative procurement policy aimed at increasing the participation of women-owned engineering firms in public projects. BPP Director-General Adebowale Adedokun disclosed this during the 2026 International Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting of APWEN in Abuja.

The policy seeks to promote economic inclusion, enterprise development, and broader participation in national development through public procurement.

Adedokun highlighted the need to address barriers such as access to finance, technical capacity, and historical exclusion faced by women-owned businesses in large-scale contracts. He emphasized that the policy would not be awarded without merit but would create mechanisms for eligible businesses to compete effectively.

APWEN President Chinyere Nnenna Igwegbe emphasized the importance of positioning women engineers at the center of Nigeria's infrastructure development, particularly in response to climate change, energy transition, urbanization, and emerging technologies. She called for stronger collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure challenges are solved collectively.

Former Minister of Aviation Babatunde Omotoba delivered a keynote address, advocating for the design of infrastructure as interconnected systems that can adapt to changing conditions. He stressed the need to think beyond current circumstances and consider the future implications of infrastructure development.

Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, stressed the need for deliberate design for the future and ensuring women engineers play a central role. She urged APWEN to continue strengthening mentorship and leadership development for women engineers to contribute to Nigeria's future development.