In line with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Renewed Hope Transformative Agenda, Initiative and Commitment to driving local industrialization, fostering economic self-reliance, considering foreign exchange and reinforcing national pride in Nigerian products, the Federal Government has approved the full implementation of the Nigeria First Policy, with respect to the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) criteria and guidelines in the procurement of vehicles, and all procuring entities are hereby directed to strictly adhere to the Nigeria First Policy regarding the procurement of vehicles and automotive equipment.
Sequel to the circular with Reference number SGF/OP/I/S.3/XII, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, May 20, 2026, and Citing the previous circular with Ref. No. SGF circular No. SGF.OP/I/S.3/VIII/250 Dated 12th April 2011, directing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to give preference to procurement of locally assembled vehicles.
The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, FCIPS, stated that the circular is aimed at directing all procuring entities to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria First Policy in the automotive sector, and in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2007, which mandated all Accounting Officers to ensure their procurement plans, bidding documents, evaluation criteria, contract awards, relating to automotive procurement reflects the requirements of the Nigeria First Policy, including the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) guidelines.
Dr. Adedokun noted that subject to this circular, all Federal MDAs and procuring entities must prioritise and purchase domestically assembled or manufactured vehicles, machinery and automotive spare parts, as procuring vehicles from foreign manufacturers is strictly prohibited, except where an official waiver is granted by the appropriate designated authority due to absolute lack of local capacity or availability.
DG BPP made it known that in line with this policy, Procuring Entities are hereby directed to comply with the stipulated guidelines and eligibility criteria as contained in this circular.
Furtherance to this, all Procuring Entities should ensure that payment is processed with evidence of Letter or Certificate of “No Objection” from BPP. Moreover, Procuring Entities are to compile and submit details of all vehicles in their pool from 2020 to date. The details should include:
• Date of purchase,
• Purchase Price
• Brand
• Model and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Evidence of Payment
• Status in Service.
And details be submitted on or before the three months after the end of each financial year using the Automobile Procurement Records Submission link as provided in the circular bpp.gov.ng/auto.
Every quarterly procurement report submitted by MDAs must include all itemized breakdown of automotive purchases. Detailing local content compliance.
Dr. Adedokun stressed that failure to strictly adhere to this policy will result in the rejection of
procurement approval requests and appropriate sanctions against non-compliance Accounting Officers and Procuring Entities.
He urged strict compliance across all MDAs and Procuring Entities as this directive takes immediate effect.
Ngozi Anyaelezu.
Assistant Chief Information Officer
BPP.
September 11, 2026.
