By Musa Ibrahim
As a move to rewrite Nigeria’s procurement playbook and place locally made products at the heart of public service delivery, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The agreement, which was signed recently in Abuja by BPP Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, and NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, signals a major policy shift. It goes beyond talk. It is a structured offtake arrangement – one that connects production lines to procurement pipelines across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Dr. Adedokun was clear: “This MoU is about taking Nigerian-made solutions off the shelf and putting them in the centre of national service. We are making local options the default – not out of sentiment, but out of performance.”
Under the pact, NASENI’s homegrown innovations – ranging from solar backup systems and tablets to tractors and surveillance drones – will now be prioritized in federal procurement. These items, he said, are certified by agencies like Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and will no longer be overlooked while MDAs shop abroad.
“This is not protectionism. This is patriotism backed by results,” Dr. Adedokun stated.
The agreement is already set to be hardwired into Nigeria’s digital procurement system. NASENI’s product catalogue will be fully integrated into the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO), allowing visibility, traceability, and verification of made-in-Nigeria procurements across all government arms.
Between January and June alone, NOCOPO’s price intelligence engine helped Nigeria save over N173 billion, $155 million, and €1.7 million. Those, Dr. Adedokun noted, are not notional savings. They are funds redirected to schools, hospitals, and small businesses.
The MoU also comes with teeth. According to them, a Technical Working Committee would be set up immediately to align NASENI’s production timelines with procurement cycles – ensuring that local innovation is not just celebrated but systematically absorbed.
“We want MDAs to stop looking outside when the best is being made inside. This partnership insulates our procurement process from manipulation and builds a system where every naira spent empowers a Nigerian engineer,” he said.
For NASENI, the deal represents more than policy support – it is a launchpad. Mr. Halilu noted that the agency currently has over 14 market-ready products and has secured technology transfers, global partnerships, and investments. “We cannot wait to get these into the hands of Nigerians. This MoU strengthens our capacity to deliver on the Nigeria First mandate,” he said.
He stated that in today’s volatile global economy, particularly with rising tariffs in developed countries, it was crucial for Nigeria to not only innovate but also to protect its own market.
“Our job creation and industrial base must be secured. With BPP’s support, we are not just building products – we are building an ecosystem,” Mr. Halilu stated.
Dr. Adedokun wrapped it up with a reminder: “Public procurement accounts for nearly one-third of national expenditure. It is not just about contracts – it is about converting national ambition into tangible reality. From roads to hospital equipment and ICT infrastructure, procurement is where plans meet the people.”
With this partnership, Nigeria may have just turned a new chapter – where patriotism meets performance, and public funds drive local innovation from concept to countrywide impact.
