The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services, an initiative to improve nutrition, food safety, strengthen local agriculture and food production.
The initiative is part of the several initiatives to support and drive the “Nigeria First Policy” so as to ensure value-for-money of public spending.
The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun while welcoming the dignitaries at the event held at the NAF Conference Centre Abuja on the 13th of July 2026, described the launch as a significant milestone and a major step in Nigeria Public Procurement reforms.
The DG-BPP commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his support to the Bureau and its reforms at promoting transparency, accountability and efficiency in public institutions across the country.
Dr. Adedokun said that the guidelines is a policy framework that cover the entire food procurement value chain including planning, specifications, development, procurement, monitoring, accountability and institutional capacity, while ensuring that only qualified suppliers provide food related services to government institutions.
He reiterated that procurement is a catalyst, an enabler, a push and a strategic instrument for national development. He noted that the National Guideline as a document seeks to ensure that public spendings on food deliver value, promote healthier diets, eligible sourcing and support for local agricultural value chain.
Dr. Adedokun emphasised that the guideline aligns with the Federal Government’s Nigeria’s First Policy which encourages local contents and sourcing, thereby supporting farmers, food processors and other businesses, while strengthening food security and job creation.
He urged all MDAs, regulatory agencies, procurement officers and suppliers for a full implementation and called on state governments to adopt the same standard to promote uniformity in the nation’s procurement practices.
Delivering the keynote speech, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Izaq Adekunle Salako, stated that public procurement of food and related services is not just the buying of food, but meant to improve nutrition, knowing the right standard and specifications of nutrients values, improving and protecting public health and healthcare services, and economic growth.
He made it known that the new policy guideline for public food procurement will enable public institutions to provide safer, healthier and more nutritious meals while promoting accountability in government spendings.
The Hon. Minister of State for Health stated that unhealthy diet is one of the leading causes of death globally, and integrating nutrition into public procurement will improve good health of millions of Nigerians who receive meals in schools, hospitals, correctional centres, military formation, NYSC, orphanages and a whole lot, and reduce unhealthy diet-related diseases.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms, Kachollom Daju, mni, who represented the Minister of Health reaffirms Federal Government commitment to strengthen nutrition policies and creating healthier food environment in public institutions nationwide. She said that the guidelines will help to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, improve productivity and strengthen human capital development
The Executive Director, Resolved to Save Life (RTSL), Dr. Nanlop Adenike Ogbureke, in her goodwill message said that the food procurement policy places emphasis on health in public procurement of food. He added that RTSL will continue to provide support for effective implementation through technical support, stakeholder engagement, and for measurable impact to reduce the rising cases of diseases related to unhealthy food consumption.
The Executive Director, Nigeria Heart Foundation (NHF), Dr. Kingsley Akinroye in his goodwill message described the guidelines as a framework to help improve food environment in public institutions. He said that “a healthy heart is a healthy life”. Improving nutritional quality of food in public institutions will reduce the country’s burden of diet-related diseases. The NHF pledged their support to the implementation of the National guidelines.
The Controller-General of Nigeria Correctional Centre, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, represented by Ahmed Ismaila, said the new guideline will help to promote quality meal to the inmates as adhering to the nutritional standards in food procurement will give more quality and better nutritional values.
The representatives of key ministries, development partners and other stakeholders lend their voices and pledged support for the implementation of the national guidelines for improving nutrition, food safety and accountability in public institutions.
The National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services was developed in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Education, and Resolved To Save Life.
e-Signed:
Zira Zakka Nagga
Head of Press and Public Relations (BPP)
14th July, 2026
