By Onilede Titi Faith
The Federal Government has introduced fresh Public-Private Partnership (PPP), guidelines that decentralise project approval powers to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), in a bid to accelerate infrastructure delivery across the country.
Unveiled by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the new rules empower MDAs to approve PPP projects valued below ₦20 billion, while agencies and parastatals can handle those under ₦10 billion.
The reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to overhaul infrastructure financing through private sector participation.
The guidelines set out procedures for preparing business cases, financial models, procurement routes, and PPP agreements. They also mandate strict compliance with ICRC due diligence and regulatory processes for all projects, regardless of sector or scale.
Presenting the framework at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, ICRC Director-General, Jobson Ewalefoh, said the reforms would boost investment inflows, empower MDAs for quicker project execution, and safeguard the commission’s oversight role.
“These rules provide a definitive framework for the conception, development, and execution of PPP projects.
“While approvals are now decentralised for faster delivery, compliance with ICRC regulations remains non-negotiable,” Ewalefoh said.
He added that the Presidency’s decision to delegate greater authority to MDAs enhances efficiency but comes with “heightened accountability and zero tolerance for non-compliance.”
The ICRC reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with MDAs, private investors, financiers, and development partners to position Nigeria as Africa’s leading hub for bankable PPP projects.
Stakeholders at the meeting welcomed the reforms and pledged readiness for immediate implementation.
