The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a firm directive to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the National Policy on Public-Private Partnerships (N4P) and the provisions of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Establishment Act (2005) in all PPP-related arrangements.
This directive was conveyed in a circular titled “FGN 2025 Budget Call Circular”, issued by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The circular provides guidelines for MDAs in preparing their 2025 budget proposals, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the ICRC Act and associated policies for any Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.
The government stressed that executing agreements such as Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), Memoranda of Association (MoA), or other contracts related to PPPs without aligning with the National Policy on PPPs and the ICRC Act constitutes a legal violation.
To ensure compliance, MDAs intending to engage in PPP or concession arrangements must operate strictly within the boundaries of the laws and policies outlined in the circular.
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission remains the point of contact for guidance on compliance-related matters.
The 2025 Budget Call Circular serves as a comprehensive framework, detailing the requirements and procedures for the preparation of the Federal Government’s annual budget.
This move is part of ongoing efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to regulatory frameworks in the execution of PPP projects across Nigeria.
By reinforcing this directive, the Federal Government aims to promote legal and procedural integrity in partnerships between public institutions and private entities, thereby fostering sustainable infrastructural development in the country.
