FG orders MDAs to conclude 2024 procurement processes by September

By Kunle Sanni –

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) involved in procurement for projects under the 2024 Appropriation Act to complete all processes by the end of September 2025.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. He spoke on a presentation made by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to President Bola Tinubu.

According to Idris, more than 70 MDAs have yet to finalise procurement activities for 2024 projects, even though the budget year formally ended in December 2024.

“Although the law was extended to allow full implementation, the BPP noted that it is now over 20 months after passage and warned that further delays could create unnecessary liabilities for government,” Idris said.

The BPP also recommended that President Tinubu obtain a comprehensive overview of all projects awarded by ministers and their ministries. It requested that updated lists of projects under the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years be forwarded for review, in line with a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Reiterating the government’s “Nigeria First” policy, the brief urged MDAs to prioritise locally produced goods and services in all projects, provided they meet international standards and are certified by relevant authorities.

The Minister added that the BPP, in collaboration with the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, will monitor compliance and submit reports to the Presidency. For the 2025 budget cycle, the bureau advised that a significant number of projects be procured through the Open Competitive Bidding Method to boost job creation and reduce poverty.

The BPP further recommended including its Director-General in all teams negotiating bilateral loans for infrastructure projects to ensure professional oversight in procurement decisions and costings.