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The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has rolled out fresh Public-Private Partnership (PPP) guidelines to streamline infrastructure delivery across Nigeria, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to accelerate development through private sector participation.
The new regulatory framework, formally unveiled during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, provides a detailed roadmap for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) engaged in PPP projects.
It represents one of the most significant reforms to Nigeria’s infrastructure development strategy in recent years.
According to the ICRC, the guidelines establish clear processes for planning, approving, and implementing PPPs across all federal MDAs. Among the major highlights are:
Approval Thresholds: The establishment of a Project Approval Board to handle new financial limits — projects under ₦20bn for ministries and under ₦10bn for parastatals and agencies, as approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Structured Project Development: Mandatory preparation of the Outline Business Case (OBC), Full Business Case (FBC), and financial models for all projects before approvals.
Procurement Standards: Clearer procedures for competitive bidding, procurement routes, and PPP agreement structures.
Compliance Monitoring: Stronger due diligence requirements, ensuring that all PPP contracts align with international best practices.
The Director-General of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, emphasized that the guidelines were designed in response to President Tinubu’s directive to liberalize the economy and attract private capital into infrastructure.
“These new guidelines decentralize project approvals, empowering MDAs to fast-track delivery, but with stricter accountability mechanisms.
Every PPP project, regardless of size or sector, must comply fully with ICRC provisions,” Ewalefoh said.
Ewalefoh highlighted that the reform seeks to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically delayed PPP projects.
By granting MDAs more autonomy while retaining ICRC’s regulatory oversight, the government hopes to boost investor confidence and unlock billions in private capital.
“The Commission remains a regulator, not a project operator.
Our role is to facilitate and ensure that agreements between MDAs and private investors are fair, transparent, and implementable,” he noted.
He added that the new framework will also strengthen Nigeria’s position as a preferred destination for bankable PPP projects in Africa, especially in critical sectors like transport, energy, healthcare, water supply, and digital infrastructure.
Representatives from various MDAs who attended the Abuja engagement session expressed strong support for the reforms.
Many described the new approval thresholds and streamlined processes as “a game changer” that could accelerate Nigeria’s infrastructure renewal.
Private sector participants also lauded the guidelines, stressing that greater clarity in project development and procurement would reduce risks, enhance competitiveness, and attract long-term investment.
The ICRC warned, however, that increased autonomy for MDAs comes with stricter accountability measures.
Non-compliance with PPP rules will attract sanctions, while all agreements must pass through ICRC’s compliance checks before execution.
“The Presidency’s decision to delegate greater authority must be matched with transparency, discipline, and zero tolerance for sharp practices,” Ewalefoh cautioned.
Nigeria faces an infrastructure deficit estimated at over $100 billion annually, according to the African Development Bank.
With limited fiscal space, the government sees PPPs as the most sustainable way to finance projects without ballooning public debt.
By providing a robust legal and regulatory framework, the new ICRC guidelines are expected to accelerate the delivery of roads, ports, railways, airports, and social infrastructure, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
The ICRC announced that it will organize training sessions for MDAs and private investors to ensure smooth adoption of the new framework.
It also pledged to strengthen collaboration with development partners, financiers, and international PPP advisory firms.
“We are committed to building an enabling environment where Nigeria can consistently deliver world-class infrastructure through partnerships,” Ewalefoh concluded.