The Nigeria Procurement Certification Scheme consists of four (4) tiers, each corresponding to a different level of expertise and responsibility in public procurement. Each tier outlines specific competencies, educational qualifications, and experience requirements for procurement professionals.

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Certification Tiers:

Tier 1: Procurement Associate

This will be the basic and foundation stage for those starting certification in procurement. The minimum academic requirement, as shown in Table 1, will be (a) a Bachelor’s degree/HND in any field, (b) an Ordinary National Diploma/NCE, and (c) a Secondary School Certificate. The candidate must also go through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) online course and Track A of SPESSE Center of Excellence modules 1 & 2. At the same time, some of the soft skills required will include Communication skills, Motivation for advancement, Team collaboration skills, Time management, Meeting deadlines, and Ethical behavior as per the code of conduct, among others. Tier 1 is equivalent to level 2 (Certificate level) in the Global Standard (CIPS), as shown in Figure 2.

Tier 2: Procurement Professional

This is the second level of the National Public Procurement Certification route (NPPCR) in Nigeria; the minimum academic requirement, as indicated in Table 1, is a Bachelor’s degree/HND in any field or an Ordinary National Diploma/NCE. The minimum general and specific experience is Three (3) years of employment, of which 2 years practicing procurement either in the private or public sector, or Five (5) years of employment, of which 3 years practicing procurement in the private or public sector. The candidate must take mandatory BPP online training, Track A: Modules 1 to 8, offered by Centres of Excellence (COE). Some soft skills required are Team-building skills, time management, Delivery within deadlines, and Risk Management, among others.

Tier 2 of the NPPCR is equivalent to level 3 (Advanced level) in the Global Standard (CIPS), as shown in Figure 2

Tier 3: Advanced Procurement Professional

The minimum academic requirement, as indicated in Table 1, is a Master’s degree in any field or Bachelor’s degree/HND in any field with Twelve (12) years of employment, of which 8 years is in practicing public procurement or  Senior official with 10 years practicing procurement or a Master degree from COE with a minimum of 2 years practicing public procurement or 3 years in the private sector with two years involvement in procurement for 2 years as minimum general & specific Experience. The candidate must attend online training by BPP and COE Track B modules, and some of the soft skills required, as stated in Table 2, including Management Information system (MIS), Team management building skills, time management, delivery within deadlines, resolution of conflict in the workplace, upholding confidentiality, decision-making, managing relationships with stakeholders and vendors and results-oriented skills.

Tier 2 of the NPPCR is equivalent to level 4 (Diploma) in the global standard (CIPS).

Tier 4: Fellow Procurement Professional

This is the final stage of the NPPCR, and at this level, the candidate. At this stage, the candidate should be able to lead all procurement activities and attain set organisational goals and targets. The minimum academic requirement is a Master’s degree in any field or Bachelor’s degree/HND in any field. From Table 1, the candidate is expected to have minimum or general and specific experience of 15 years of employment, of which 10 years practicing public procurement either in the private or public sector OR ii) 16 years of employment, of which 12 years practicing public procurement at PEs. The candidate must take mandatory online training by BPP and Track B modules for the Centres of Excellence procurement courses. Some of the soft skills required at this level include Advanced Team management, team-building skills, advanced time management, enforcement of the organization’s discipline and accountability measures, Resolution of conflict in the workplace, and upholding confidentiality, among others.  Tier 4 is equivalent to a level 6 Global Standard (CIPS) professional diploma.