Presidential directive: ICRC issues guidelines to fast-track PPPs

…New regulatory framework to unlock billions in private investment

Omeiza Bilal

In a decisive move to overhaul Nigeria’s infrastructure delivery processes through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has issued a set of guidelines that will govern the development and implementation of all PPP projects in Nigeria.

The new framework, released under the statutory powers conferred on the Commission by the ICRC Act, 2005, and in compliance with Presidential directive, was formally unveiled during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement with representatives from all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government directly involved in PPPs.

The guidelines provide directions and requirements to set up the Project Approval Board for the new approval thresholds of under N20bn for Ministries and under N10bn for agencies and parastatals as approved by the President; it provides steps for preparing the Outline Business Case (OBC), Full Business Case (FBC) and financial model; guides the procurement routes, PPP agreement, among others.

The Director General of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh presented the guidelines, took stakeholders through each section, responding to questions, and clarifying points to ensure clear understanding.

“The new guidelines are in response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to liberalise the economy and in line with his charge to the ICRC to seek innovative ways to attract private sector finance to build infrastructure through PPPs.

By the end of the engagement, participants expressed strong support for the reforms and a readiness to immediately begin implementing the new guidelines.

While presenting the guidelines, Dr. Ewalefoh stressed: “These rules establish a definitive framework for the conception, development, and execution of PPP projects in Nigeria. They decentralize project approvals to empower MDAs for faster delivery while safeguarding the ICRC’s role as regulator of PPPs in Nigeria.

“Every PPP project — regardless of sector, scale, or origin — must strictly comply with these provisions. Every project shall be subjected to our due diligence and compliance requirements,” he said.

He re-emphasised the role of the ICRC as a regulator of PPPs and not an operator or Grantor of projects and informed the participants that the Commission will continually facilitate and coordinate negotiations between MDAs and Private Proponents to ensure that the terms and conditions of agreements are fair to parties and implementable.

He underscored that the Presidency’s decision to delegate greater approval authority to MDAs, with ICRC regulating the process, also comes with heightened accountability and zero tolerance for non-compliance.

The ICRC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with MDAs, private investors, financiers, and development partners to reposition Nigeria as the continent’s leading destination for bankable and transformative PPP projects.