By Chibuzor Alli
The Federal Government has ordered Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to allow a mandatory 14-calendar-day window for challenges and clarifications before finalising public procurement contracts.
The new requirement means government institutions must notify unsuccessful bidders of an intended contract award and wait 14 calendar days before executing the agreement or allowing the Letter of Award to take effect.
The directive, issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, applies immediately to both ongoing and future procurement activities across the Federal Government.
The government said the measure is intended to strengthen transparency and fairness in public contracting by giving bidders an opportunity to challenge procurement decisions before contracts become effective.
The circular described the standstill period as a “mandatory interval between the communication of the Notice of Intended Award and the formal execution of the contract.”
It said the waiting period was designed “to provide unsuccessful bidders with an opportunity to seek clarification or file complaints regarding the procurement process before a contract is concluded.”
“No contract agreement shall be executed, and no Letter of Award shall become effective until the expiration of the prescribed Standstill Period of fourteen (14) calendar days,” the circular stated.
Complaints could halt contract execution
Under the new procedure, bidders who have concerns about an award will be able to submit complaints during the 14-day period in line with administrative review procedures under the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and relevant Bureau of Public Procurement guidelines.
Where a complaint is lodged within the prescribed period, the government directed that “further procurement actions relating to contract execution shall be suspended pending the resolution of the complaint, where applicable.”
The directive does not mean that every complaint will automatically cancel an intended contract award. Rather, procurement authorities are required to consider complaints and, where applicable, suspend further steps towards execution until the matter is resolved.
Procurement Officers are also required to keep records showing compliance with the standstill requirement. These records are expected to include notices issued to participating bidders, complaints received and actions taken in response.
The government warned that procuring entities that fail to comply could face administrative sanctions under the Public Procurement Act and other applicable regulations.
“Accordingly, all procuring entities are hereby directed to ensure that all ongoing and future procurement activities fully comply with this requirement,” Akume stated.
He directed Accounting Officers to circulate the order to Tenders Boards, Procurement Planning Committees, Procurement Departments and other officials responsible for procurement.
New rule affects contract timelines
The mandatory waiting period means MDAs will now have to factor the 14-day standstill into their contract-award schedules before projects or procurements can move to the execution stage.
The requirement applies alongside existing procurement laws, regulations and BPP guidelines, including rules governing prior reviews and approvals.
The Public Procurement Act, 2007 provides the legal framework for federal government procurement, while the BPP is responsible for developing procurement policies and guidelines and monitoring compliance by procuring entities.
The additional procedural requirement is particularly relevant to large government contracts, where disputes over bidder eligibility, evaluation criteria, pricing or award decisions can arise before execution.
The standstill period creates a formal window for such concerns to be raised and considered before public funds become committed under a concluded contract.
FG continues procurement reforms
The latest directive forms part of wider changes to Nigeria’s public procurement system.
Earlier in 2026, the BPP introduced a digital submission portal for procurement-related requests and correspondence from MDAs, including applications for certificates of no objection, special procurement approvals, clarifications and status updates.
The Bureau said the digital system was intended to streamline submissions and improve the tracking and transparency of procurement documents.
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation also announced revised guidelines on contract variations and the mandatory use of final designs in May. The guidelines strengthened review of requests to alter contract sums or project scopes and required MDAs to publish details of approved variations.
The reforms came as the government sought to balance faster procurement decisions with oversight of public expenditure.
In June, BPP Director-General Adebowale Adedokun said revised procurement thresholds had reduced the Federal Executive Council’s involvement in routine contract approvals by transferring more responsibilities to ministerial and parastatal Tenders Boards and Accounting Officers.
The 14-day standstill now adds another requirement to the process, making clear that an intended contract award cannot immediately proceed to execution once it has been communicated to bidders.
For MDAs, compliance will require procurement officials and Accounting Officers to ensure that all participating bidders are properly notified, the 14-day period is observed and any complaints received during the window are appropriately documented and handled.
Akume concluded the circular by directing procuring entities to implement the requirement immediately, adding that “strict compliance is advised.”
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