Over the decades, the state of the Nigerian Economy has been a major concern. This is because a nation’s economic stability is crucial to other aspects of her development both of individuals and communities within the nation. To salvage the economy, the Nigerian government made several calculated moves. These include the privatisation of certain state-owned enterprises, commercialisation of most and the strategic reformation of others. This is the reason behind the establishment of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is a Nigerian government agency responsible for implementing the privatization and commercialization of public enterprises. It acts as the secretariat to the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which is the policy-making body overseeing the privatization process. The BPE’s role is crucial in reforming key sectors of the Nigerian economy by transitioning state-owned enterprises to private ownership and operation.
In June 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Mr. Ayodeji A. Gbeleyi as the Director General of BPE. Since he assumed leadership, BPE has undergone a transformative journey, redefining public enterprises and rebuilding Nigeria’s economy.
Careerwise, Gbeleyi has a rich background embellished with experience in diverse sectors such as manufacturing, FMCG, banking, project finance, telecommunications, infrastructure, and public administration. Notably, he served as the board Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and also held the position of Commissioner of Finance in Lagos State from 2013 to 2015. Having accumulated over 30 years of experience, AA Gbeleyi brought a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to his current role.
As a progressive leader, DG Gbeleyi’s vision for the BPE and public enterprises in Nigeria centers on increasing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the management and privatization of public assets. This includes a focus on public sector reform, strategic privatization, and commercialization to attract private sector investment and foster a more competitive economy. His vision also emphasizes professionalism, result-orientation, and building a sustainable framework for reform and privatization.
As a transformational leader and positive change agent, Ayodeji Gbeleyi creates a positive and supportive environment for change through communication, collaboration, and exemplary leadership. While navigating challenges that may come, he never ceases to maximise opportunities for successful policy implementation to achieve desired outcomes.
Since his appointment coincided with a renewed emphasis on economic transformation, DG Gbeleyi led BPE to actively develop strategies for transforming Nigeria’s economy, through reforms and privatization. Early this year, The BPE held its first Technical Committee (TC) meeting under DG Gbeleyi’s leadership. Important deliberations were made, touching on key strategies for economic transformation, indicating the administration’s commitment to proper planning and decision making.
To fulfill some of the developed strategies, Ayo Gbeleyi has been involved in courtesy visits with other government agencies like the Bureau of Public Service (BPSR). This demonstrates a commitment to inter-agency cooperation in achieving the BPE’s goals. His leadership has initiated a period of focused activity at the BPE, with an emphasis on economic transformation through strategic reforms and collaborations.
Unfortunately, there are several challenges facing administration in Nigeria and the Bureau of Public Enterprises is not left out. The BPE faces numerous challenges including corruption, mismanagement, and inadequate funding, which threaten their vision to contribute to economic growth and development. Gbeleyi has shown that his administration is crucial in addressing these challenges by focusing on transparency, accountability, and strategic implementation of reforms within the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
In response to the challenges, Mr Ayodeji Gbeleyi’s leadership emphasizes transparency and accountability in the operations of public enterprises, aiming to curb corruption and mismanagement. Following his lead, the BPE is also actively involved in implementing reforms aimed at restructuring and privatizing public enterprises. Public-private partnerships are also being promoted to leverage private sector resources and expertise for infrastructure development and service delivery.
Through the aforementioned move to boost transparency and accountability, the BPE also aims to attract both local and foreign investors, thereby driving economic growth. To achieve their mission more efficiently, Gbeleyi has indulged the BPE in developing the capacity of public enterprise employees to enhance their skills and improve their performance. This would foster inclusivity and unity of mind towards achieving the common goal.
Inferably, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), under DG Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, continues to maintain a significant role in reforming the Nigerian economy, through privatization and liberalization of key sectors. These reforms have the potential to drive future growth and development by attracting investment, increasing efficiency, and fostering competition.
