Improving Transport Project Appraisals
In the Islamic Countries
122
8 Results case studies: Nigeria
This chapter presents the results of the case study Nigeria, following the structure of the
conceptual framework, as developed in Chapter 2. A country visit took place on the period 2-5
December 2018. This case study benefits from active support and participation from a broad
range of stakeholders in Nigeria. Details of relevant experts are presented in Annex 3. Also
presented in this annex is the participation of twenty stakeholders to a meeting, which was
dedicated to the subject of transport project appraisal in Nigeria.
8.1 Introduction
As stated in the draft National Transport Policy93, transport plays a pivotal role in the political,
economic and social development of Nigeria. It constitutes a significant element in the
production process through the facilitation of free movement of goods and persons within
Nigeria. Nigeria has a population of approximately 182 million people94 and a land mass area of
about 923,768 square kilometre95. The role of transport is critical in promoting social cohesion,
integration and unity of the country. Realization of the above requires the adoption of a
multifaceted approach to address the various dimensions of the transport sector to bring about
growth and development.
One of the principal challenges, according to the National Transport Policy, is inadequate
capacity to meet the transport demands of Nigeria, hence the need to develop the sector. The
same policy document describes a set of principles to guide overall decision making in the
transport sector. In these principles, there is an important role for project appraisal, as part of
the process of provision, planning, development and, management of transport infrastructure
in Nigeria, all geared towards development of the transport sector and facilitating economic
development of the country.
8.2 Legal basis
Project appraisal finds its legal basis in the Public Procurement Act (2007). Included in this act
is a so-called certificate of "No Objection" for contract award, to be provided by the Bureau of
Public Procurement (BPP). Such a certificate is required for a contract to be tendered and
awarded, and will be provided if steps of the preparation process have been carried out and
related criteria have beenmet. For infrastructure projects, this includes amongst others carrying
out an (economic and financial) feasibility study . As such, project appraisal is not a direct a hard
legal requirement, but it is pre-condition for a project to be procured.
The process of developing a road infrastructure project, as defined in the Code of Procedures of
the Highway Manual 96, illustrates the place and role of project appraisal, as presented i
This figure is presented as a project cycle, in which appraisal is concentrated in the
93 Draft National Transport Policy, Federal Ministry of Transportation (December 2017).
94 National Population Commission
95 National Bureau of Statistics
96 Code of Procedures, Highway Manual (2013).