The Federal Government has made the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) certificate mandatory for public procurement processes involving the leasing, hiring or provision of equipment, warning that contracts that fail to meet the requirement will not receive approval.
The directive requires all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other procuring entities to demand evidence of ELRA registration from prospective bidders involved in equipment leasing as part of efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve transparency and ensure value for money in public procurement.
The requirement was communicated in a circular issued by George Akume, secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), dated August 12, 2026, with reference number 59780/S.2/B/584.
According to a statement signed by Ngozi C. Anyaelezu, acting head of public relations at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the circular also directs MDAs to incorporate compliance with the registration of lease agreements, in line with Section 13 of the Equipment Leasing Act, 2015, as an additional eligibility and responsiveness criterion for bids involving equipment leasing.
Adebowale A. Adedokun, director-general and chief executive officer of the BPP, called on all MDAs and procuring entities to comply fully with the directive in their procurement activities.
Under the directive, advertisements and solicitation documents for new projects and programmes must clearly state the requirement for prospective bidders involved in equipment leasing to submit evidence of ELRA registration.
The requirement applies to prequalification exercises, financial bids and combined procurement exercises involving equipment leasing.
The circular further states that no procurement approval, contract award or execution will be recognised or granted for an equipment leasing procedure that fails to comply with the requirement.
The BPP said the measure is intended to promote safety and quality standards and eliminate unregistered and unregulated equipment leasing practices in public procurement.
All MDAs, prospective government contractors and procuring entities have been directed to circulate the circular widely and ensure strict compliance, with appropriate administrative and regulatory sanctions to be applied for violations.
The directive places additional compliance obligations on contractors seeking government business involving leased equipment, making registration evidence a key requirement at the bidding stage rather than a matter to be addressed after contract award.
The government said the move underscores the importance of a regulated equipment leasing sector to effective public procurement, responsible asset management and sustainable economic development.
