Firm as Independent Verification Agent (IVA) for NAGS 2.0, Nigeria

The services included under this project are the engagement of a qualified and experienced Independent Verification Agent (IVA) to provide independent and credible verification of the achievements of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), outputs, Performance Based Conditions (PBCs), and project results under the NAGS 2.0 Programme prior to disbursement of funds. REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRM CONSULTANT) FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS 2.0) Sector: Agriculture Project ID No.: P-NG-AA0-042 Date: 28 October 2026 EOI Reference: FC-MOF-AfDB-NAGS-01/2026 The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has received financing from the African Development Bank toward the cost of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS 2.0) project, and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this loan to payments under the contract for Consultancy Services: Engagement of an Independent Verification Agent (IVA) firm for the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS 2.0) project.

The services included under this project are the engagement of a qualified and experienced Independent Verification Agent (IVA) to provide independent and credible verification of the achievements of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), outputs, Performance Based Conditions (PBCs), and project results under the NAGS 2.0 Programme prior to disbursement of funds. The Federal Ministry of Finance now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

Consultants may constitute joint-ventures to enhance their chances of qualification. The Consultant shall have the following expertise and qualifications: Institutional Experience – Core Qualifications • Institutional Credibility: Recognized auditing, consulting, or research firm with proven track record in large-scale program verification. • Technical Expertise: Strong background in agriculture, food security, and results-based financing mechanisms. • Monitoring & Evaluation Capacity: Experience in designing and implementing verification protocols for performance-based programs. • Statistical & Data Analysis Skills: Ability to validate large datasets (e.g., farmer registrations, seed/fertilizer distribution, yield data). • Independence & Neutrality: Must operate free from conflict of interest with government agencies or implementing partners. • Gender & Social Inclusion Expertise: Capacity to verify gender-disaggregated data and youth participation metrics. • Climate & Environmental Knowledge: Familiarity with environmental and social safeguards standards, and climate-smart agriculture practices and resilience indicators.

Specific Experiences • A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in audit, public financial management, agricultural services, monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social safeguards compliance review, and public sector management. • Experience conducting similar verification assignments in Sub-Saharan Africa or comparable jurisdictions. -- 1 of 2 -- • Experience working with donor-funded projects. • Proven expertise in verification of Results-Based Financing operations. • Demonstrated experience in ICT-enabled monitoring and verification systems. • Proven experience in stakeholder coordination and management.

Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure: The Consultant shall be selected under the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement Framework, dated October 2015, and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the Procurement Framework, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org. Interested consultants may obtain further information, including the Terms of Reference, at the address below during office hours 07:00am to 6:30pm.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below, or by email, 20 November 2026 at 10:00am as mention “Consultancy Services engage a “Consultancy firm to be Independent Verification Agent (IVA)”. A