President Tinubu’s Procurement Reforms Driving Nigeria’s Infrastructure Gains – TMSG

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has attributed the significant infrastructure gains recorded under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Federal Government’s ongoing procurement reforms.

The group made the assertion following Vice President Kashim Shettima’s disclosure that the procurement reforms introduced by the administration have saved the country more than ₦1.1 trillion in 2025.

In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG said the reforms have not only generated substantial savings but have also made the contract award process faster, more transparent and less cumbersome, thereby improving the ease of doing business in line with global best practices.

According to the statement, *“The Public Procurement Act, signed into law in June 2007 by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, institutionalised due process in the Federal Government’s procurement system. However, over the years, stakeholders consistently called for reforms due to delays in project execution caused by the slow pace of procurement procedures.

“It was therefore unsurprising that the President Bola Tinubu administration embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of the procurement framework in 2024 to decentralise the process, strengthen accountability and improve efficiency across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“Subsequently, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) disclosed that no fewer than 23 procurement reforms had been introduced within one year of the Tinubu administration.

“One of the most significant changes was the decentralisation of contract approvals. Rather than retaining the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as the sole approving authority for major contracts, the administration empowered ministers and ministerial tender boards to approve contracts once all statutory requirements are met.

“As a result, contracts valued below ₦5 billion for goods and services and ₦10 billion for works are now processed by ministerial tender boards instead of the Federal Executive Council.

“This explains why the FEC is no longer perceived primarily as a weekly contract-awarding body.”*

TMSG further highlighted key reforms introduced by the administration, including shorter contract approval timelines, digital submission of procurement plans, stricter sanctions for defaulting contractors and erring public officials, and enhanced transparency throughout the procurement process.

The group also cited the Nigeria First Policy, introduced through an Executive Order, which prioritises locally manufactured goods, indigenous contractors and domestic service providers in government procurement.

According to TMSG, *“It is against this backdrop that we view the reported ₦1.1 trillion savings arising from the procurement reforms. Available data indicate that this amount exceeds the cumulative savings recorded from the procurement process between 2007 and 2024.

“Every naira saved is equivalent to additional resources available for national development. These savings can be channelled into constructing and rehabilitating roads, building more schools, strengthening healthcare, expanding agricultural intervention programmes and financing other critical infrastructure projects.”*

The group commended the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, for effectively implementing the mandate entrusted to him and urged him to sustain strict compliance with the Tinubu administration’s procurement reform agenda to consolidate the gains already achieved.