As part of mechanisms and processes being emplaced to strengthen ongoing procurement reforms in Nigeria, the federal government has announced that it would no longer allow non-performing and dishonest contractors to participate in public procurement processes.
The announcement was contained in a circular by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, dated May 27, 2025.
The circular said that the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) would henceforth debar any supplier, contractor or service provider that “fails to deliver a contract satisfactorily; deliberately abandons a contract; or obtains a contract through corrupt, fraudulent, collusive, coercive/obstructive practices, in violation of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and regulations made pursuant thereto.”
According to the circular. “It is important to emphasise that under the provisions of the PPA 2007 (as amended), accounting officers are responsible for the direct supervision of all procurement processes, while the political heads of ministries have the statutory duty to confirm approvals by the respective Tenders Boards.”
The circular stated that, in consequence, accounting officers and political heads would be jointly accountable for ensuring that procuring entities comply with the provisions of the PPA, 2007 and existing regulations and guidelines during the implementation of their procurement processes.
The SGF said that the BPP would recommend appropriate sanction for accounting officers and other officers of MDAs who “flout the directives in this circular.”
Potential sanctions listed in the circular included, among others, suspension of officers connected with the procurement or disposal proceeding in issue; replacement of the head or any of the members of the procuring or disposal unit of any entity or the chairperson of the Tenders Board as the case maybe; disciplinary action against the accounting officer of any procuring entity; and, temporary transfer of the procurement and disposal functions of the entity to a third-party procurement agency or consultant.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
