The Nigerian Procurement Certification Scheme (NPCS) is a structured program aimed at professionalizing procurement in the country by providing a clear pathway for career advancement and skills development. The certification process is based on the Nigerian Procurement Competency Framework (NPCF), which outlines the specific competencies required at various levels of procurement roles. The scheme consists of four certification levels, each representing different tiers of expertise in procurement: Procurement Associate, Procurement Professional, Advanced Procurement Professional, and Fellow Procurement Professional.

The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that procurement practitioners possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviors to perform their duties effectively. It also aims to streamline recruitment, training, and performance evaluation in the procurement sector. Certification under this scheme is intended to be mandatory for all procurement practitioners, ensuring that only qualified and certified individuals handle procurement processes in Nigeria’s public and private sector.

The certification process includes an application and testing phase, where candidates’ competencies are assessed through written exams and, for higher tiers, interviews. An independent certification board, established by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), will oversee the certification process, including developing exam content and maintaining a database of certified professionals. This scheme is expected to raise the standards of procurement practice in Nigeria, promote professionalism, and improve the effectiveness of procurement processes across all sectors.