The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has urged all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government, along with other key stakeholders, to strictly follow the latest presidential directives on public procurement. This call was made in a statement issued by the BPP’s Director General, Dr. Adedokun Adebowale, on Monday.
Dr. Adebowale noted that the new directive, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during a meeting on May 5, 2025, is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The policy, known as the “Nigeria First” initiative, is designed to support local industries by giving preference to Nigerian-made goods and services in all federal procurement processes.
“This strategic policy initiative is a step toward building the capacity of Nigerian businesses, making them more competitive and sustainable in the long term,” the statement reads. “The BPP commends His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the FEC for this bold and necessary move.”
The Bureau noted that it will work closely with procurement officers and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth rollout of the policy. As part of this process, a Local Content Compliance Framework will be developed. This framework will include clear instructions to guide MDAs and ensure that all procurement activities support local content development.
To promote understanding and proper implementation, the BPP is already conducting training sessions in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These workshops are focused on the use of the newly updated 17 Standard Bidding Documents, one of which has already been introduced for current procurement officers and contractors.
A new set of guidelines on local content compliance is also in the works. According to the BPP, stakeholders will be invited to contribute to this document to ensure that everyone has a say in how the new policy is put into action.
The Bureau further noted that it will launch a public awareness campaign to inform Nigerians about the policy and the benefits it brings. The campaign is expected to build public support and improve understanding of the new procurement requirements.
In addition, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) will release a circular to strengthen the enforcement of the directives across all federal agencies. The President has also instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to issue an Executive Order that will give the policy full legal force.
The BPP listed several key actions that MDAs must carry out immediately. These include revising procurement plans to fit the new local content guidelines, prioritising Nigerian-made goods and services, and justifying any need to use foreign products. If foreign procurement is necessary, the contracts must include plans for knowledge sharing, local production, or skill-building.
Failure to comply with the directives may lead to serious consequences, including the cancellation of contracts and disciplinary actions against those responsible.
Dr. Adebowale concluded by congratulating Nigerians on this important step forward. He noted that the “Nigeria First” policy would open new job opportunities, strengthen local production, and support national development goals.
