AUDITOR-GENERAL UNCOVERS N124.12BN PROCUREMENT BREACHES ACROSS FEDERAL MDAS

The Auditor-General for the Federation has uncovered contract and procurement irregularities valued at N124.12bn across several Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government. The infractions include questionable contract awards, breaches of procurement procedures and payments made for projects that were either not executed or were poorly executed.

The findings were contained in the Auditor-General’s 2024 Annual Report on Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses in MDAs, covering the year ended December 31, 2024. The report, dated July 17, 2026, was submitted to the National Assembly in line with constitutional requirements governing the auditing of the Federal Government’s public accounts.

An analysis of the report showed that N76.96bn was associated with irregularities in the award of contracts by 29 MDAs, while another N19.91bn involved contracts awarded without following due procurement procedures. The Auditor-General also identified N27.25bn paid for contracts and jobs that were either not executed at all or were not properly completed, bringing the three categories of contract-related infractions to N124.12bn.

The National Population Commission recorded the largest amount under the irregular contract award category, with N10.97bn flagged by the audit. The report referenced the Financial Regulations 2009, which require government procurement of goods, works and services to be conducted through open competitive bidding except where specific exemptions under the Procurement Act apply.

The findings are expected to draw further attention to financial controls and procurement practices across federal institutions, particularly over how public funds are committed to government projects. The Auditor-General’s report forms part of the oversight process through which irregularities in the use of public resources are brought before the National Assembly for consideration and possible action.