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Corruption: CSOs Scolds MDA’s Over COVID-19 Procurement Shady Deal

Published

5 years ago

November 20, 2020

Joel Ajayi

A Non-Governmental Organization is known as Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development PRIMORG has condemned Ministry Department Agencies MDA’s over the alleged shady deal, price overblown of the procurement of COVID-19 palliatives as well as the poor handling of the succor to all Nigerians.

The civil society organization said governments, ministries, and others who are in charge of the palliatives have failed “woefully” in procurement and distribution of the palliative.

The PRIMORG made this known through its, Ray Power 100.5 Radio Town Hall meeting on corruption in COVID-19 procurements held on Friday in Abuja.

While speaking a CivicHive of BudgIT, IyanuOluwa Bolarinwa revealed that the federal ministry of health awarded 15 out of 29 COVID-19 contracts to a single company.

Bolarinwa said a sum of N3.03 billion has been spent by seven government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) on COVID-19 contracts.

According to him, several “inflated payments” for the different contracts, which it attributed to a closed procurement process.

“Health ministry disbursed N970.25 million which was sourced from the COVID-19 intervention fund, and over 50 percent of this fund was given to Marvelous Mike Press Limited.

“The report revealed that the federal ministry of health expended N37.06 million on 1,808 pieces of face masks at the rate of N20, 467 per one. This is ridiculously expensive!”

Also speaking, Alex Aderemi of Dataphyte said a total of 71 projects valued at ₦1.99 billion (₦1,992,650,974.59) were awarded to more than fifty contractors for the supply of different goods and services. This is according to the document published on the website of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

He alleged that some of the companies do not have records on the database of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Contractors’ list of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

He said: “The initial search of two key public databases raised red flags. First, about nineteen (19) contractors who have been awarded separate projects to the tune ₦451.18 million have no records on the BPP’s Federal Contractors database. Another five contractors awarded contracts worth nearly N84 million failed to comply with the full requirement of the BPP.

“In April 2020, the Federal Government raised ₦697.54 million donations from individuals, companies, and organizations. The donation aims at fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The data, published on the Open Treasury portal of the Office of Accountant-General of the Federation, contains daily donations from April 7th to April 30th without record for spending

For every kobo spent by the Federal Government or its MDAs, it has a significant impact on the livelihood of an ordinary Nigeria. COVID-19 emergency procurement is such a significant fund that every MDA must be held accountable.”

However, the revealed that the data mined from the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) of the Bureau Of Public Procurement (BPP) showed these contracts were awarded by five MDAs – Ministry of Environment, Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

He, however, rated MDAs 20% in the purchase and the distribution of covid-19 palliatives.

On his own, Jonathan Ipaa. A Political Editor from New Vendor online news Nigeria expressed that Nigerians should be worried about the country the image that has been battered because of irregularities in the procurement and distribution of the COVID-19 palliative.

Mr. Ipaa was not happy with government attitudes toward the distribution of covid-19 palliatives suggested that CSO that have been doing well towards meeting the needs of people should have been contacted to help share the palliatives.

Meanwhile, in their different submissions they, however, said that despite the fact that the country has a long way to go in taming corruption in the country the following steps can be taken to reduce corruption.

The suggestion includes, the speedy signing of the bill know as the Audit bill that will empower the Auditor General of the Federation to punish any offenders; removal of obesity from the awarded project; government should open information for timely access for interested people; Beneficial ownership as well as stronger anti-corruption agencies and more sincerity from the government.

However, PRIMORG is a non-governmental organization that is supported by the MacArthur Foundation to strengthen anti-corruption and accountability by amplifying corruption-related investigative reports on radio and through social media.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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