Public procurement in Nigeria
- Main law
- Public Procurement Act 2007, Act No. 14, dated 4 June 2007, Official Gazette No. 65 Vol. 94 of 19 June 2007 1
- Regulator
- Bureau of Public Procurement, section 3 1
- Policy body
- National Council on Public Procurement, chaired by the Minister of Finance, section 1 1
- Default method
- Open competitive bidding, sections 16(1)(c) and 24 1
- Minimum bidding period
- Not less than six weeks for national and international competitive bidding, section 25(2) 1
- Open contracting portal
- NOCOPO, nocopo.bpp.gov.ng 5
Law and institutions
The Public Procurement Act 2007 is Act No. 14 and is dated 4 June 2007 1. Section 1 establishes the National Council on Public Procurement, chaired by the Minister of Finance, with the BPP Director-General as secretary 1. Section 2 gives the Council power to approve and amend the monetary and prior review thresholds 1. Section 3 establishes the Bureau of Public Procurement 1.
Section 5(c) requires the Bureau to certify federal procurement before contract award, within the thresholds set by the Council 1. The BPP links the Act, its complaints procedure and the NOCOPO open contracting portal on its website 5.
The certificate of No Objection
Section 6(1)(b) lets the Bureau issue a certificate of No Objection for contract award within the prior review threshold 1. Section 16(2) says no funds may be paid for a procurement above the threshold without that certificate 1. Under section 16(4), a procurement awarded without the required certificate is null and void 1.
Under the 2025 thresholds, a BPP No Objection is needed before Federal Executive Council approval and before Ministerial Tenders Board approval in the upper bands shown below 3.
Approval thresholds from 15 May 2025
The BPP said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the revised thresholds on its recommendation, with immediate effect 4. They apply to the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, the defence and intelligence communities, and all funding sources 3.
| Approving authority | Goods | Works | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Council, after BPP No Objection 3 | ₦5 billion and above 3 | ₦10 billion and above 3 | ₦5 billion and above 3 |
| Ministerial Tenders Board, after BPP No Objection 3 | ₦1 billion to under ₦5 billion 3 | ₦5 billion to under ₦10 billion 3 | ₦1 billion to under ₦5 billion 3 |
| Ministerial Tenders Board 3 | ₦50 million to under ₦1 billion 3 | ₦75 million to under ₦5 billion 3 | ₦50 million to under ₦1 billion 3 |
| Parastatal Tenders Board 3 | ₦25 million to under ₦500 million 3 | ₦50 million to under ₦1 billion 3 | ₦25 million to under ₦500 million 3 |
| Accounting Officer, Permanent Secretary 3 | Under ₦50 million 3 | Under ₦75 million 3 | Under ₦50 million 3 |
| Accounting Officer, Director-General or CEO 3 | Under ₦25 million 3 | Under ₦50 million 3 | Under ₦25 million 3 |
Procurement methods
Section 24 says goods and works are procured by open competitive bidding, which gives every interested bidder equal information and opportunity 1. Section 25 provides for national and international competitive bidding, with bids invited not less than six weeks before the deadline 1. The 2025 method thresholds are listed below 3.
- Competitive bidding for goods and non-consultant services of ₦1 billion and above, and works of ₦5 billion and above 3.
- Request for quotation for goods and non-consultant services under ₦30 million, and works under ₦50 million 3.
- Shopping under ₦10 million 3.
- Single source or direct contracting under ₦5 million 3.
- Restricted tendering needs Bureau approval under section 40, for example where only a limited number of suppliers exist 1.
- Direct procurement under section 42 covers cases such as a single available supplier or urgent need 1.
Complaints and appeals
Under section 54, a bidder complains in writing to the accounting officer within 15 working days of becoming aware of the breach 1,2. The accounting officer decides within 15 working days 2. A bidder who is not satisfied may complain to the Bureau within 10 working days 1,2.
On receiving a complaint, the Bureau suspends further action by the procuring entity until the matter is settled 2. It decides within 21 working days and may nullify an unlawful act or decision 1,2. An appeal lies to the Federal High Court within 30 days, and the BPP says the court's decision is final 2.
Common questions
What is a certificate of No Objection in Nigeria?
A BPP certificate needed before award and payment for procurements above the prior review threshold, under sections 6 and 16 of the Act 1.
Which contracts go to the Federal Executive Council?
Goods and services of ₦5 billion and above, and works of ₦10 billion and above, under the 2025 thresholds 3.
How long do bidders have to prepare bids?
Not less than six weeks for national and international competitive bidding, under section 25(2) 1.
How do I challenge a federal contract award in Nigeria?
Complain to the accounting officer within 15 working days, then to the BPP within 10 working days, then appeal to the Federal High Court within 30 days 1,2.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- Bureau of Public Procurement: Public Procurement Act 2007 (4 June 2007)
- Bureau of Public Procurement: Complaints Procedure Under the Public Procurement Act (accessed 20 October 2026)
- Bureau of Public Procurement via Federal Ministry of Information: Director-General's press statement on revised thresholds (15 May 2025)
- Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation: BPP announces the newly revised public procurement thresholds (15 May 2025)
- Bureau of Public Procurement: home page (accessed 20 October 2026)
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- Public procurement in South Africa
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- Public procurement in Zambia
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