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• SMEDAN says 39.6m businesses could benefit as World Bank backs capacity-building initiative
Federal Government has launched a free digital public procurement training programme to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) overcome knowledge gaps that have limited their participation in government contracts and access to a major market for business growth.
The initiative, launched on Tuesday by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) with support from the World Bank, is designed to equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge of government procurement procedures, from identifying contract opportunities and preparing competitive bids to delivering contracts and meeting performance requirements.
The Director-General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, in his welcome address, explained that the programme was intended to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian businesses to compete more effectively for public procurement opportunities, while promoting transparency, accountability and value for money in government spending.
The launch comes against the backdrop of the significant contribution of MSMEs to Nigeria’s economy. According to figures cited by the BPP and the World Bank, the businesses account for approximately 96 per cent of enterprises in the country and contribute about 50 per cent of national gross domestic product (GDP).
Despite their economic importance, many MSMEs have struggled to participate effectively in public procurement because of inadequate knowledge of procurement procedures, limited technical capacity and difficulties navigating bidding requirements.
Adedokun said the new digital platform was developed to address these barriers by providing accessible, practical and free learning resources tailored to Nigeria’s procurement system.
The programme features interactive modules, quizzes, practical examples and a certificate of completion. It is designed for use on computers, tablets and smartphones, with consideration for entrepreneurs who have limited internet access.
The BPP chief, however, cautioned that completing the training would not guarantee the award of government contracts, stressing that the procurement system remained governed by competition, transparency, accountability and value for money.
“Let me emphasise, however, that the training programmes do not guarantee the award of government contracts,” he said, explaining that the objective was to equip businesses with the knowledge and skills required to participate more effectively in the system.
He said public procurement was more than an administrative process for acquiring goods, works and services, describing it as a strategic instrument for delivering public services, stimulating economic activity, creating jobs, encouraging innovation and promoting sustainable national development.
Adedokun also disclosed that the Bureau was reviewing barriers that had hindered MSMEs’ participation in public procurement, with a view to creating a more inclusive and accessible business environment.
He said the initiative would pay particular attention to women-owned and women-led businesses, youth entrepreneurs and persons with disabilities, while supporting broader efforts to expand economic opportunities for underserved groups.
The BPP director-general called on business owners, entrepreneurs, professional associations and trade groups to publicise the training programme and encourage their members to take advantage of the platform.
He also acknowledged the support of the World Bank, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Bank of Industry, civil society organisations and other development partners in advancing procurement reforms.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, described public procurement as one of the largest and most reliable markets available to businesses, arguing that inadequate information, rather than a lack of capacity alone, had prevented many small enterprises from accessing opportunities.
Odii said the portal aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First Policy and would help make government a more accessible market for Nigerian entrepreneurs.
He disclosed that Nigeria had 39,654,385 nano, micro, small and medium enterprises, arguing that improving their access to public contracts could expand business opportunities, strengthen local value chains and retain more economic value within the country.
According to him, the National Policy on MSMEs was being reviewed, with the proposed 2026–2030 policy awaiting approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
He said the policy recognised public procurement as a strategic avenue for enterprise growth, formalisation and local content development, adding that the new portal would provide a practical mechanism for implementing its market-access objectives.
“Giving small businesses an opportunity to compete is an opportunity and a sustainable way to support our small businesses,” Odii said.
He added that when MSMEs could compete for public contracts on clear terms, they would gain market access and business experience, while government would benefit from a broader supplier base.
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Matthew Verghis, said public procurement could serve as a powerful instrument of economic development when it expanded business opportunities, strengthened competition and improved the use of public resources.
He said the portal aligned with the World Bank’s priorities of job creation, private-sector development and stronger institutional capacity, noting that MSMEs were particularly important because of their contribution to employment and enterprise development.
Verghis said procurement capacity-building should not be restricted to government officials but must also extend to the businesses expected to participate in the system.
He explained that improving MSMEs’ access to procurement markets could broaden the pool of suppliers, stimulate competition and support innovation, ultimately contributing to enterprise growth and job creation.
The World Bank country director, however, said the success of the initiative would depend on how widely the platform was used and whether participating businesses became better prepared to compete for public contracts.
He urged entrepreneurs to use the training, improve their skills, compete for opportunities and provide feedback that could help strengthen the programme.
“Your success will ultimately be Nigeria’s,” Verghis said.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, also welcomed the initiative, stressing the need for young entrepreneurs to prepare themselves to take advantage of the opportunities available to them.
He urged young people to combine their demand for support with readiness to participate in business, noting that access to opportunities must be matched by the capacity to utilise them.
The training programme is being implemented under the World Bank-supported Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Project, which seeks to strengthen procurement capacity and promote sustainable practices in Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
