Introduction

The Auditor-General of the Federation has released a report revealing N124.12bn in contract and procurement irregularities across federal government ministries, departments, and agencies. The findings underscore persistent challenges in public financial management.

What Happened

The audit uncovered three distinct categories of infractions. First, N76.96bn was linked to irregularities in the award of contracts by 29 MDAs, including cases that bypassed mandatory open competitive bidding requirements. Second, N19.91bn was awarded in violation of procurement due process by 15 agencies, contravening the Public Procurement Act 2007. Third, N27.25bn was paid for jobs and contracts that were not executed or were poorly executed, breaching Financial Regulations 2009.

  • N76.96bn – irregular contract awards across 29 MDAs, with the National Population Commission recording the highest amount at N10.97bn.
  • N19.91bn – contracts awarded without due process, led by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority at N14.70bn.
  • N27.25bn – payments for non-executed contracts, headed by the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management at N11.36bn.

Why This Matters

These findings point to pervasive control deficiencies and institutional lapses that threaten public accountability and service delivery. The Auditor-General noted that such cross-cutting issues recur across at least four MDAs, signaling systemic weaknesses in internal controls. The report is intended to empower Public Accounts Committees in the National Assembly to strengthen oversight, enforce accountability, and prevent future violations.

Key Takeaways

  • N124.12bn in total irregularities across federal MDAs.
  • Three distinct breach categories: award violations, due process failures, and non-executed payments.
  • Specific agencies accounted for the largest shares in each category.
  • Recurring internal control gaps require institutional reform.
  • Legislative oversight remains critical to translating audit findings into action.

Conclusion

The Auditor-General's latest report serves as a stark reminder of the persistent procurement and financial management challenges within Nigeria's federal agencies. Sustained reform, strict enforcement of procurement laws, and robust legislative oversight are essential to safeguarding public funds and ensuring effective service delivery.