Sen. John Enoh Identifies Procurement Knowledge Gap as Barrier to MSME Access to Government Contracts
October 28, 2026
The Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, has called for improved knowledge of public procurement processes among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), identifying inadequate understanding of bidding procedures and documentation as key obstacles to accessing government contracts.
Sen. Enoh made this known in Abuja on Tuesday at the launch of the MSMEs Public Procurement Training Programme and Digital Learning Portal, an initiative developed by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) with support from the World Bank to strengthen the capacity of small businesses to compete for public sector opportunities.
The minister explained that many MSMEs miss out on government contracts despite having the capacity to deliver quality goods and services because they struggle to navigate procurement regulations, prepare compliant bids and provide the required documentation.
He said the new self-paced digital platform would offer practical training in bid preparation, regulatory compliance and technical requirements, while reducing the cost of accessing such knowledge.
Highlighting the economic significance of MSMEs, Sen. Enoh noted that the sector accounts for approximately 96 per cent of businesses in Nigeria, 87 per cent of employment and about 50 per cent of manufacturing activities.
He stressed that improving their participation in public procurement would strengthen domestic production, stimulate enterprise growth and expand economic opportunities.He cited the Federal Government’s intervention funding experience, recalling that approximately ₦200 billion had been made available, including about ₦75 billion earmarked for MSMEs.
However, access to the funds was reportedly delayed for nearly two years because some beneficiaries lacked the necessary documentation or misunderstood the applicable requirements.
Sen. Enoh expressed confidence that the training portal would help prevent similar challenges and advance the government’s commitment to prioritising locally produced goods and services.
The minister urged MSMEs to enrol on the platform and take advantage of the training. He also called on government institutions to make procurement opportunities more visible, structure large contracts into smaller lots where appropriate to encourage participation by smaller businesses, and ensure timely payment for completed contracts.
The Regional Procurement Practice Manager for West and Central Africa at the World Bank, Nazaneen Ali, emphasised that the initiative should be assessed by the tangible benefits it delivers to participating businesses rather than the number of people registered or trained.She said monitoring and evaluation should establish whether the programme enables MSMEs to submit more competitive bids, secure public contracts, execute projects successfully, expand their businesses and generate employment.
Similarly, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Abel Enitan, represented by Permanent Secretary Usman Kalba, commended the initiative, observing that the programme could open new economic opportunities for retirees seeking to establish or strengthen business ventures.
The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr Charles Odii, described public procurement as an important market for business expansion but noted that inadequate awareness of procurement requirements continues to limit the participation of many small enterprises.Dr Odii said the digital learning initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy and could help create a more accessible pathway for MSMEs to compete for government business.
The Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs, Mr Temitola Johnson, also underscored the importance of integrating small businesses into government policies and programmes. He disclosed that 50 per cent of a privately sourced fund would be committed to the MSME training and learning portal.
The programme is being implemented under the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Project (SPESSE), which supports improvements in procurement capacity and related standards.The new portal could help Nigerian MSMEs overcome knowledge gaps that prevent them from participating effectively in government procurement.
By strengthening their understanding of tender requirements, bid preparation and regulatory compliance, the programme offers businesses an opportunity to improve their competitiveness and diversify their revenue sources.
However, sustained results will depend on accessible and practical training, transparent procurement procedures, fair opportunities for smaller enterprises and prompt payment for contracts executed. Government agencies will also need to communicate tender opportunities effectively and ensure that procurement processes translate into meaningfully participation by local businesses.
Edited by Rosemary Aiyenale
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
