The Federal Government has announced a new policy that will require contractors bidding for public projects to present a certificate of subscription to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s (SON) Digital Standards Platform (DSP) as part of their prequalification documents. The move is designed to improve quality control, strengthen local industry, and align with President Bola Tinubu’s “Nigeria First” policy.
The directive was made public in a joint statement by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and SON on July 11, 2025, after a strategic meeting held at BPP’s Abuja headquarters. According to the statement, the requirement is part of ongoing efforts to integrate Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) into the federal procurement process and ensure compliance from the early stages of project planning.
Contractors will need to subscribe to SON’s DSP to access relevant standards for their products and services, which will then be verified during the procurement process. Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are also expected to use the platform to plan procurements and write specifications that align with national standards.
The government noted two key changes: first, companies bidding on public contracts must show proof of DSP subscription as part of the qualification process. Second, all MDAs must begin using the platform in procurement planning to ensure compliance and quality from project inception.
Although implementation has not yet begun, MDAs and contractors are urged to begin preparations, including updating procurement protocols and initiating DSP subscriptions. The government expects the new policy to raise the standard of public projects, curb the importation of substandard products, and boost domestic manufacturing.
This initiative is a key component of the “Nigeria First” policy unveiled in May 2025, which prioritises local content in all government procurements. Under this policy, MDAs are prohibited from sourcing foreign goods and services when local alternatives exist, unless a formal waiver is granted by the BPP.
The presidency has also directed MDAs to revise procurement plans to reflect this shift, warning that failure to comply could result in contract cancellations and disciplinary actions against responsible officers.
In support of this mandate, the BPP has been tasked with enforcing local-content-focused procurement rules, developing a Local Content Compliance Framework, creating a national registry of certified local producers and service providers, and resuming full oversight of procurement officer postings across MDAs.
