New measures slash contract approval delays, tighten oversight and open more government opportunities for indigenous firms….
The Federal Government has launched a far-reaching overhaul of Nigeria’s public procurement system, introducing reforms aimed at accelerating project delivery, strengthening fiscal discipline and creating greater opportunities for local businesses.
The reforms, championed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, are expected to significantly reduce bureaucratic delays that have long slowed contract approvals and hindered the execution of critical government projects.
Speaking at the inaugural National Public Procurement Day and Procurement Evolution Showcase in Abuja, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Adebowale Adedokun, said the changes mark a shift in how government procurement is managed, positioning it as a strategic driver of economic growth, transparency and national development.
One of the most notable changes is the revision of procurement approval thresholds across the Federal Public Service. According to Adedokun, the move has drastically reduced the volume of contracts requiring clearance from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), allowing the country’s highest policy-making body to focus on broader governance and economic priorities.
“FEC rarely meets to deliberate on contract awards anymore,” he said, noting that the new thresholds have removed unnecessary administrative hurdles without compromising accountability.
The development comes as government seeks to address persistent concerns over project delays, cost overruns and inefficiencies that have affected infrastructure development and budget implementation over the years.
Under the new framework, greater procurement authority has been delegated to ministerial tender boards, parastatal tender boards and accounting officers operating within approved limits. Officials say the decentralisation is expected to speed up decision-making and improve service delivery across government institutions.
To strengthen oversight, President Tinubu has directed that all requests for contract variations must receive explicit approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement before implementation. The measure is designed to curb contract inflation, eliminate loopholes and prevent abuse of public funds.
The Bureau has also introduced a mandatory 14-working-day standstill period before the execution of contracts. The provision gives dissatisfied bidders an opportunity to challenge procurement decisions and seek redress through appropriate channels.
In a move aimed at increasing transparency, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will now be required to publish details of contract awards every month, alongside quarterly performance reports outlining project implementation progress.
Adedokun disclosed that the BPP and the Budget Office have developed a joint monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure procurement activities remain closely aligned with approved budgetary provisions.
The government is also deploying advanced price intelligence and benchmarking systems to improve value-for-money assessments and protect public resources during contract awards.
A key pillar of the reform agenda is the digitisation of procurement processes. New electronic procurement platforms, a Nigerian e-marketplace system and upgraded contractor certification databases are being rolled out to automate procedures, reduce human interference and minimise corruption risks.
“The future of procurement is digital,” Adedokun said. “Technology is helping us strengthen transparency, improve efficiency and reduce opportunities for abuse within the system.”
Beyond improving governance, the reforms are designed to stimulate local economic growth through the implementation of the Nigeria First Policy, which prioritises indigenous companies in sectors such as infrastructure, automobile manufacturing, information and communications technology, renewable energy, textiles and agriculture.
The Bureau is also developing affirmative procurement frameworks intended to expand access to government contracts for women-owned businesses, small and medium-scale enterprises and other underserved groups.
To build professional capacity within the sector, the BPP has introduced certification programmes, specialised procurement training initiatives and academic partnerships with six federal universities.
According to Adedokun, the reforms are essential to restoring public confidence in government spending and ensuring procurement serves as a vehicle for national development rather than simply a process for awarding contracts.
As implementation gathers pace, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the reforms deliver on their promise of faster project execution, stronger accountability and broader participation in government contracting opportunities.
