BPP moves to stop contract variations, bars unauthorised cost reviews
The Bureau of Public Procurement has introduced new guidelines requiring Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to obtain prior approval before any upward revision of contract sums, in a sweeping reform aimed at curbing cost inflation and abuse of variation orders in public projects.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the bureau’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Zira Nagga, the agency said the reform centralises the review of all contract variations, fluctuation claims, and scope modifications under its regulatory oversight.
The BPP said the measure is designed to “close one of the most persistent channels for cost inflation and corruption in Nigeria’s public procurement system.”
Under the new policy, no MDA can process any contract variation without first securing a Certificate of No Objection from the bureau, which must be obtained before submission to any approving authority. The certificate will be valid for six months.
The guidelines, issued under Sections 5(a) and (o) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, also implement a Federal Executive Council-approved policy communicated through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in December 2025.
According to the bureau, “every request for a variation order, fluctuation claim, or scope modification—regardless of size—must first be submitted to the BPP for review and certification.”
It warned that any variation processed without the required clearance will attract sanctions under the Public Procurement Act, including suspension of responsible officers and possible debarment of contractors.
The new framework replaces a 2013 rule that only required presidential approval for variations exceeding 15 per cent of the contract sum or N1bn, marking a significant tightening of oversight.
Director-General of the bureau, Adebowale Adedokun, said the reforms are intended to ensure accountability in public spending.
He said, “Variations must not become a backdoor for cost inflation and scope creep.”
