Nigeria Launches Food Procurement Guidelines for MDAs

On Monday, the Federal Government of Nigeria unveiled food procurement guidelines aimed at standardizing food purchases across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The guidelines, introduced by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in Abuja, establish minimum nutritional and safety quality standards that suppliers must meet to qualify for government contracts.

Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the Director General of BPP, stated that the guidelines are designed to address inconsistencies in food procurement across public institutions, ensuring that public spending delivers value for money and promotes healthier food standards.

The guidelines require procurement entities to incorporate these minimum standards into their bid documents. No contractor or supplier can provide food to public institutions without meeting the approved standards.

The initiative aims to strengthen contract monitoring, encourage local sourcing, and create opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Dr.

Iziak Adekunl Salako emphasized that the guidelines are not merely regulatory instruments but strategic tools to improve public health and nutrition quality in schools, hospitals, and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.