President Bola Tinubu has authorized federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to approve Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects valued at less than N20 billion without requiring further endorsement from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The move, announced by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), aims to streamline project approvals and accelerate infrastructure development across Nigeria. According to the ICRC, this new directive will reduce bureaucratic delays, allowing MDAs to fast-track critical projects within their financial thresholds.
The ICRC emphasized that while MDAs now have greater autonomy, all PPP projects must still comply with due process, transparency, and existing regulatory frameworks. The commission will continue to oversee compliance to ensure accountability and value for money.
This policy shift is part of the Tinubu administration’s broader efforts to enhance efficiency in governance and attract private sector investment in infrastructure. Analysts suggest it could stimulate economic growth by speeding up project execution and reducing bottlenecks in the approval process.
Previously, all PPP projects required FEC approval, regardless of size, often causing delays. Under the new guidelines, only projects exceeding N20 billion will need to be presented to the council.
Stakeholders in the infrastructure sector have welcomed the decision, describing it as a positive step toward improving Nigeria’s business environment and infrastructure delivery.
