How do Nigerian government tenders work?
Federal government procurement in Nigeria is governed by the Public Procurement Act 2007, overseen by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). This guide explains the parts that matter to a bidder. Section numbers refer to the Act as passed in 2007; some provisions have since been amended, so check the current rules for anything you rely on.
Open competitive bidding is the default
Section 24 says federal agencies must buy goods and works by open competitive bidding unless the Act allows another method. The contract goes to the lowest evaluated responsive bid: not simply the cheapest price, but the cheapest bid that meets every requirement in the bidding documents.
Whether a tender is national or international depends on its value. BPP sets these thresholds, and revised them from 15 May 2025: national competitive bidding now covers goods from ₦30 million and works from ₦50 million, and the largest contracts (goods from ₦1 billion, works from ₦5 billion) can be opened to international bidders.
How a tender is advertised
Section 25 requires adverts on the agency's notice board and website, in at least two national newspapers and in the procurement journal, at least six weeks before the bid deadline. International tenders must also be advertised internationally and on BPP's website.
Who can bid
Under section 16(6), a bidder must have the professional, technical and financial capability, equipment and personnel to do the work. It must not be in receivership or insolvency, must be up to date on taxes, pensions and social security contributions, and must disclose any link to officials of the agency or BPP. The burden of proving you qualify is on you (section 16(10)), and agencies may ask for documentary evidence, which is why tenders list certificates such as tax clearance and pension compliance. See what you need to bid for federal contracts.
Submitting and opening bids
- Bids must be in writing, signed by an authorised official, sealed and in English (section 27).
- Late bids are not opened; they are returned (section 27).
- Bids are opened in public straight after the deadline. Bidders and members of the public may attend, and each bidder's name and total price are read out and recorded (section 30).
- Above BPP's thresholds, a bid security may be required: not more than 2% of the bid price, as a guarantee from a reputable bank (section 26).
How bids are evaluated
Bids are first checked for eligibility, signatures and whether they respond to every requirement (section 32). They are then evaluated only on the criteria stated in the bidding documents (section 33). Prices cannot be changed after opening.
Where to see what agencies buy
Federal agencies submit procurement plans and records to the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO), which is worth checking to see what an agency has bought before and plans to buy.
How TendaRadar helps
TendaRadar collects federal and state government tenders from agency portals and the sites that republish newspaper adverts, and shows them in one place: see the current Nigerian government tenders. Pick your trades and states, and the new ones reach you on WhatsApp with time left to prepare a bid.
Official sources
- Public Procurement Act 2007, full text (copy published by NERC)
- Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)
- BPP's revised procurement thresholds, May 2025 (Federal Ministry of Information)
- Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO)
This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Rules change, and each tender's own advert and bidding documents set its requirements: always read them, and check with the buyer or a professional if you're unsure.