BPP DG urges Tinubu to enforce strict procurement deadlines, local content compliance in MDAs
The director-general of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to instruct ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to conclude all outstanding procurement processes from the 2024 budget by September 2025.
Speaking at the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, the BPP DG said more than 70 MDAs are still processing projects captured under the 2024 appropriation despite the extension granted for full implementation.
“The 2024 budget was extended to give MDAs ample time to complete their procurement plans, but we are now over 20 months in, and a significant number are still pending. We recommend that all awards be concluded by the end of September to safeguard government resources,” the DG said.
He advised that the president should have a full record of all projects awarded under the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. He said the lists should be forwarded to the BPP in line with the circular from the secretary to the government of the federation on project tracking.
On the Nigeria First Policy, the DG emphasised prioritising made-in-Nigeria goods and services that meet international standards.
“Our mandate is to promote local capacity and ensure compliance with the Nigeria First Policy. This is crucial for economic growth, job creation, and industrial development. Compliance data will be analysed by the BPP and transmitted to the presidency,” he said.
To support the Renewed Hope Agenda’s targets for job creation and poverty reduction, the DG called on ministers to adopt the open competitive bidding method for a significant portion of 2025 projects and submit compliance reports for presidential review.
He also recommended that the ministry of finance include the BPP in all bilateral loan negotiations for infrastructure projects.
“We must make sure projects funded by external loans deliver value for money and are fit for purpose. Procurement inputs should never be an afterthought,” he said.
The DG expressed concern that several government-owned companies are still bypassing the Public Procurement Act despite the Finance Act 2020.
“This non-compliance has contributed to financial recklessness in some enterprises. All government-owned companies must carry out procurement in line with the law to ensure transparency and accountability,” he added.
If implemented, the proposals are expected to strengthen fiscal discipline, boost local content, and improve Nigeria’s procurement framework.
