By Cyril Akpomedaye
In a country where the cost of public projects often doubles or triples long after contracts have been signed, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s recent decision to abolish the upward review of contract sums in Delta State is a bold and refreshing move.
It is a reform that cuts straight to the heart of one of Nigeria’s most persistent governance problems: the silent sabotage of accountability through inflated contracts. By taking this decisive stand, Oborevwori is not only promoting prudence and transparency but also sending a strong message that the era of easy loopholes in public contracting is coming to an end.
Hitherto, it was prevalent that contractors usually asked for upward review of their contracts. Most times, the contractors cited increase in costs as an excuse. While this is a tenable excuse, for fraudulent contractors, it creates an avenue for fraud. Every Nigerian knows the story — sometimes too well. A borehole project that should cost N5 million ends up gulping N20 million. A 10-kilometre road drags on for six years, and when completed, it begins to crack within months. The problem often begins not at the point of execution but at the point of approval, where contractors underquote deliberately just to secure the job, confident that they can later return to the government to demand “variation” or “upward review.”
Thankfully, Oborevwori disclosed this abolishment at the thanksgiving service marking the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Delta State Judiciary, held at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba.
“We have ended the old practice of arbitrary review of contract sums and variations after agreements have been signed,” Oborevwori said, putting an end to the fraudulent scheme.
“Today, every state contract contains a clause that prevents such adjustments, and no contractor receives payment without a duly executed agreement. This is a major step towards transparency and responsible financial management in line with the Delta State Public Procurement Law of 2020.”
While many critics may not like the person of President Tinubu, some discerning ones cannot shy away from the strength and beauty of some of his reforms. Of particular importance here is the foreign currency reforms. For nearly three years, foreign airlines were owed millions of dollars. Local businesses often relied on black market to access dollars in the course of doing business. That was till the Tinubu administration cleared and stabilised that stable. Unlike in the recent past, where the dollar swung unpredictably, a situation which made foreign currency speculation a full-time job of some, things have changed. Now, the Naira is stable and Nigerians can easily pay for little transactions abroad with their Naira cards. The difference between trading dollars via the banks and the black market is very marginal. The stability of the Naira in terms of the dollar has extended to businesses, many of whom have begun to consume imported goods or services to fulfill their obligations.
But what is the connection of dollars to contract cost reviews? Simple. In an import dependent country like Nigeria, the dollar has an overwhelming way of influencing daily life, helplessly inflating costs, if swaying wildly. But as the foreign exchange machinations are stabilising and the Naira is stabilising, it would be difficult for contractors to cite wide fluctuations in prices as an excuse for upward reviews of contract sums. Hence, the abolishment by Oborevwori is not only welcome in the Big Heart state, it would be considered genius by watchers.
The governor, who led the immediate state Legislature as Speaker, also used the occasion to reiterate his belief in democracy and the partnership that should exist among the three arms of government.
“Our efforts in justice infrastructure, procurement, and law-making reflect our belief that democracy thrives best when there is synergy among the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary,” he said.
“The executive, legislature, and judiciary are partners in service. Each arm depends on the other to function effectively. Together, we must continue to uphold the rule of law and ensure that every Deltan can live, work, and dream in a society governed by justice and fairness.”
At the event, Sheriff highlighted some of his administration’s reforms in the public service to include a 158 percent increment in Delta’s minimum wage. Also, his administration paid over N70 billion to clear state pension arrears, including a fresh N10 billion intervention to the State Pensions Board, with an additional N2 billion released monthly to sustain payments. According to the governor, the move is part of a broader commitment under his MORE Agenda — Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.
He listed some interventions like the launch of a Widows’ Welfare Scheme, to provide free healthcare and monthly stipends to 10,000 widows across the state. Other youth empowerment programmes such as MORE Grant Scheme, MORE WISE-Up, MORE ICT, and MORE Biz-Up, have transformed thousands of small businesses and artisans to self-reliance.
As it stands, Oborevwori deserves kudos for how he is devoting more than two-thirds of the state’s 2026 budget to capital projects. Roads and infrastructures like hospitals, schools are taking centre-stage in addition to social services like healthcare and education. But, without ensuring proper fiscal methodology, there would not be funds to produce adequate public goods and services.
Nigeria’s fiscal landscape is riddled with leakages — from inflated payrolls to duplicated projects. But few leakages are as pervasive as contract inflation. Once a project cost is reviewed upward, it rarely comes down, even if market prices later stabilize. And because these variations are often approved quietly within bureaucratic corridors, they escape public scrutiny. By abolishing upward reviews in Delta, Oborevwori has effectively blocked one of these hidden drains. The move will likely save the state billions over time — funds that can be redirected to social services, healthcare, education, or youth empowerment.
Oborevwori’s approach brings back an ethic of accountability that has been sorely missing. It tells civil servants that due diligence is not optional. It reminds contractors that government work is not a lottery ticket. And it assures citizens that the state’s resources are being protected. But for too long, Nigerian states have paid premium prices for substandard output. By eliminating the habit of revising contract sums upward, Delta State is aligning itself with the global best practice of cost certainty. Contractors now have every incentive to sharpen their pencils, negotiate better with suppliers, manage timelines efficiently, and adopt modern methods that reduce waste.
The governor’s move is not just administrative housekeeping. It is political courage. In a system where many would rather maintain the status quo to please vested interests, he has chosen to disrupt it. By abolishing the upward review of contract sums, Oborevwori has taken a stand that every Nigerian who desires good governance should applaud. And better still emulate. Because it is not just good for Delta. It is good for Nigeria.
•Akpomedaye writes from Asaba
