The Federal Government has made professional certification mandatory for officers in the Procurement Cadre across the Federal Public Service, giving them 12 months to obtain the required qualification.

The directive requires officers to obtain the National Public Procurement Certification through the Bureau of Public Procurement, with non-compliant officers facing restrictions on deployment to procurement positions.

Government said the policy is aimed at improving professionalism, competence and accountability in public procurement, while the certification will not replace existing academic or professional qualifications.