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By Chika Nwachukwu, Abuja
The Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project, which operates through six centres of excellence, has delivered training to more than 85,000 participants.
The was disclosed in aide‑mémoire released by the World Bank’s Implementation Support Mission, led by Task Team Leader Ishtiak Siddique and National Project Coordinator Dr Joshua Atah of the National Universities Commission(NUC).
According to the aide‑mémoire the SPESSE has made “significant progress” since its last review, prompting the World Bank to describe the initiative as a “standout” development project in the country.
“Backed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the World Bank and the National Universities Commission (NUC), SPESSE was designed to tackle a long-standing problem in both the public and private sectors: the shortage of skilled professionals and the absence of structured academic pathways in procurement, environmental safeguards and social standards.
“Through coordinated training programmes anchored by six Centres of Excellence spread across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, the project has steadily bridged that gap, producing a new generation of professionals equipped to meet global best practice,” it noted.
The memoire noted that all four Project Development Objective (PDO) indicators have been fully achieved, while the overall Project Implementation Progress (IP) has been rated satisfactory following verification for the January 1–June 30, 2025 period.
“Independent verification also confirmed that 12 out of 18 Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs) have already been met or exceeded.
‘Five additional PBCs are scheduled for completion by June 30, 2026, with remaining targets aligned with the project’s closing timeline,” it said.
It noted that during the mission, the World Bank team engaged with key national and state-level stakeholders, including the SPESSE National Facilitation Implementation Unit (NFIU) at the NUC, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The team also reviewed activities at the six Centres of Excellence hosted by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; University of Benin; and the University of Lagos.
It added that one of the project’s most notable achievements is the launch of professional certification examinations in procurement, environmental safeguards and social safeguards.
“Conducted through online portals between April and June 2025, the examinations have already produced 3,429 successful candidates. Of this number, 2,121 passed procurement certification, 855 qualified in social safeguards, and 453 in environmental safeguards.
“These certifications represent only a fraction of the project’s reach. More than 85,000 participants have benefited from SPESSE training programmes across the six Centres of Excellence, cutting across Tracks A to E. Even the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the early stages of implementation failed to slow the project’s steady progress,” it noted.
According to the Director of the International Economic Relations Department at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr Stanley Nyeso George, the huge performance of the project has earned SPESSE a reputation as one of Nigeria’s standout development projects.
George commended the NUC under both its current and former leadership, as well as Dr Atah, for driving the project’s success. Centre Leaders and their teams were also praised for their dedication and results.
In recognition of these gains, the World Bank approved Additional Financing to extend the project’s lifespan until June 2026.
The decision, the Bank said, reflects SPESSE’s improved outcomes and alignment with its development objectives.
“With renewed funding, the project is expected to deepen procurement reforms, expand online training platforms and strengthen institutional capacity, ensuring long-term benefits for Nigeria’s public sector, private businesses and local communities,” it noted.
In a move to institutionalise these standards, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement(BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, disclosed at a high-level review meeting with the World Bank during the 2025 SPESSE ISM in Abuja, that the Bureau has initiated steps to make SPESSE courses mandatory for the professional certification of all procurement officers.
Adedokun said the proposal, which has received preliminary approval from the Head of Service, will be incorporated into the revised circular governing the procurement cadre.
He reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to implementing all project objectives, including the transition to e-procurement.
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