By Musa Ibrahim
In a sweeping move to deepen transparency and accelerate public procurement timelines, the Presidency has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to begin submitting quarterly procurement progress reports to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
The directive, conveyed through a circular dated May 27, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, aims to empower the BPP to track the pace and integrity of procurement processes across federal institutions.
The circular outlines a raft of new compliance measures intended to reduce bureaucratic slippage and encourage real-time accountability.
“This will be done in collaboration with the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRCDU) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” the circular stated.
Why It Matters
Procurement has long been a sore spot in public sector efficiency. Delays, opacity, and alleged manipulation often undermine delivery timelines and inflate costs. With this move, the government is tightening the noose on inefficiency and ensuring that the country’s procurement ecosystem works better—and faster.
For national competitive bidding processes, the standard procurement time has been pegged at 91 days for goods and works, 107 days for international competitive bidding, and 128 days for consultancy services. By tracking quarterly progress, the BPP will now be better positioned to hold MDAs to these deadlines and flag any irregularities early.
Transparency Takes Center Stage
To reinforce openness in procurement, the circular also mandates that all bidders present during the bid opening must countersign the bids of competing firms. This rule is a proactive step to prevent post-opening bid substitution—a subtle but damaging malpractice that has historically weakened trust in procurement outcomes.
“Any officer overseeing the bid opening proceeding who fails to direct or allow bidders to counter-sign competing bids shall be appropriately sanctioned,” the SGF stated.
Additionally, MDAs are encouraged to adopt virtual tools alongside physical attendance for bid openings and tenders board meetings, making participation easier and processes more auditable.
New Rules, New Tools
In keeping with the reform agenda, the circular also insists on the use of revised standard bidding documents issued by the BPP. These documents reflect the updated procurement thresholds and are expected to harmonise procurement practices across MDAs, eliminating arbitrary or outdated documentation.
Quarterly reports from MDAs, along with findings from procurement audits, will now be made available to key oversight institutions—including committees of the National Assembly. This marks a significant step in improving institutional oversight and ensuring that budgeted funds are spent judiciously and transparently.
A New Era in Procurement Governance
This directive is more than a bureaucratic update—it is a deliberate shift toward performance-driven public procurement. With collaboration from CRCDU, the BPP, and the National Assembly, the government is setting the tone for a more responsible, traceable, and responsive procurement culture.
