The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has unveiled a new community-based procurement framework aimed at strengthening oversight and implementation of constituency projects nominated by federal lawmakers.
The initiative is designed to enhance transparency and ensure value for money by combining digital tracking tools with on-ground monitoring. It is also expected to give lawmakers greater visibility over contractors handling projects in their constituencies.
Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of the BPP, disclosed the development on Thursday while defending the agency’s 2026 budget proposal before the Senate Committee on Procurement.
Adedokun said President Bola Tinubu had approved the rollout of the policy, describing it as a landmark reform in Nigeria’s public procurement system.
“The President has approved the deployment of what is called community-based procurement for the first time in this country,” he said.
“What this means is implementing local content and providing a legal framework to help ensure that constituency projects deliver value.”
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He added that the new system would enable projects approved for constituencies to be executed using local capacity rather than relying on contractors from outside the communities.
“We do not want people coming from Abuja to execute projects that local communities can effectively handle,” he said.
Adedokun explained that under the new framework, certified procurement officers will be deployed in each local government area nationwide. These officers, registered with the BPP, will oversee project implementation and ensure compliance with procurement regulations.
“We are deploying both technology and physical oversight. In every local government, there will be a registered procurement officer to ensure that projects approved for constituencies are properly executed,” he said.
The BPP is responsible for regulating and supervising public procurement processes to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government spending. It ensures that public contracts are awarded and executed in line with due process.
Constituency projects, also known as zonal intervention projects, are budget allocations nominated by lawmakers to address infrastructure and social needs within their constituencies. While legislators facilitate their inclusion in the budget, implementation is handled by federal ministries, departments, and agencies.
Over the years, the scheme has faced criticism over poor execution, duplication, delays in fund releases, and allegations of corruption. Many approved projects have been abandoned or left incomplete due to weak monitoring and funding constraints.
Reports by the Office of the Auditor-General and civil society organisations have consistently highlighted gaps in project tracking and accountability.
Adedokun said the new model would also improve access for indigenous contractors by simplifying procurement requirements that often limit their participation.
“We have identified challenges faced by Nigerian contractors in meeting certain procurement requirements,” he said.
“We are reviewing those requirements to enable qualified local contractors to participate more effectively, without unnecessary barriers.”
He added that the bureau had saved significant public funds since its establishment.
“In the 19 years since the implementation of the Public Procurement Act, from 2009 to date, a total of N3.3 trillion has been saved that would otherwise have been lost through inefficient procurement processes,” he said.
He noted that such savings are returned to the Consolidated Revenue Fund to support government expenditure.
Adedokun reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to strengthening procurement governance and ensuring efficient use of public resources.
