The African Development Bank has formally lifted sanctions previously imposed on Sargittarius Nigeria Limited and its affiliates, bringing to a close a matter that arose from procurement reviews linked to water supply and sanitation projects in Oyo and Taraba states.

In a letter dated 21 November 2025, the Bank confirmed that Sargittarius Nigeria Limited had been released from debarment following a review of its Integrity Compliance Programme. The communication, issued by the AfDB’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption, stated that the company had satisfied the institution’s requirements after a detailed assessment process.

The sanctions stemmed from investigations conducted by the AfDB into procurement procedures associated with the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Projects executed between 2014 and 2016. Several companies were affected during that exercise as part of the Bank’s broader efforts to uphold transparency and accountability in projects financed with development funds.

Sargittarius Nigeria Limited explained that the issues identified during the bidding process related to errors in two bidding forms, while the appropriate originating and supporting documents were included in the submissions, each running into several hundred pages. The company consistently maintained that the discrepancies were inadvertent, not fraudulent in nature, and did not result in any undue advantage, noting that it did not secure the contracts in question.

Throughout the investigation, the company said it cooperated fully with the AfDB, providing all requested information and clarifications. It also noted that the documentation errors had been identified and corrected internally through established control processes prior to the commencement of the Bank’s investigation.

Following the review, Sargittarius Nigeria Limited has strengthened its governance framework by developing and implementing a comprehensive integrity compliance programme. The company said it continues to engage with development partners to reinforce internal controls and align its operations with international best practices.

An official of the company described the lifting of the sanctions as the conclusion of an unfortunate episode, adding that it reaffirmed the firm’s long-standing commitment to ethical conduct and compliance.

The development closes the case and underscores the AfDB’s stated commitment to due process, while highlighting the importance it places on corrective measures, transparency and accountability in projects funded by multilateral development institutions.