A new survey has revealed that nearly two-thirds of Nigerian businesses face difficulties accessing government procurement opportunities, highlighting persistent concerns over transparency, competitiveness and accountability in the country’s public contracting process.
The findings, released by the Network for Fiscal Governance and Accountability Development (NEFGAD), showed that 63.6 per cent of respondents described access to government contracts as either “difficult” or “very difficult.”
The survey, conducted among civil society organisations, contractors, consultants, procurement professionals and service providers across the country, examined perceptions of Nigeria’s public procurement system and the challenges businesses encounter in securing government contracts.
According to the report, concerns over transparency remain widespread, with only 40.9 per cent of respondents describing public procurement processes as transparent or very transparent. The majority said procurement procedures were either only somewhat transparent or lacked adequate openness.
The report also found that 54.6 per cent of respondents believed government procurement opportunities were rarely or never advertised fairly, raising concerns about equal access and competition in the award of public contracts.
Respondents also expressed low confidence in existing oversight institutions, with nearly 60 per cent rating procurement monitoring mechanisms as ineffective or very ineffective.
Despite these concerns, the survey showed overwhelming support for greater transparency in public contracting. About 81.8 per cent of respondents backed the public disclosure of awarded contracts and contract performance reports, arguing that greater access to procurement information would improve accountability and enable citizens to monitor the use of public funds.
NEFGAD acknowledged that Nigeria had established a legal framework for public procurement through the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the Bureau of Public Procurement but said implementation challenges continue to undermine transparency, efficiency and value for money.
The organisation described public procurement as a critical component of public financial management, stressing that an effective procurement system is essential for curbing corruption, promoting competition and improving service delivery.
According to the report, respondents identified the introduction of a comprehensive electronic procurement (e-procurement) system as the most important reform needed to improve transparency and efficiency in government contracting.
Other recommendations included prompt payment of contractors, strengthening procurement oversight institutions, expanding public access to procurement information, enforcing stricter sanctions for procurement violations, amending the Public Procurement Act 2007 and inaugurating the National Council on Public Procurement.
NEFGAD urged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, the Bureau of Public Procurement and state governments to implement a nationwide e-procurement platform and establish a centralised digital portal for procurement activities.
The organisation also called for the mandatory publication of procurement plans, tender notices, bid evaluation reports, contract awards and project performance reports to improve accountability and widen access to government contracting opportunities.
It maintained that implementing the recommended reforms would strengthen transparency, promote fair competition and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s procurement system.
- 63.6% of businesses struggle to access govt contracts – Survey - July 2, 2026
- Police arrest three over Kwara poly student’s murder - July 2, 2026
- FG unveils plan to swap NYSC khaki for Adire - July 2, 2026
