World Bank approves additional funding for Nigeria’s SPESSE project, rates performance satisfactory
Nigeria’s drive to close critical skills gaps in procurement, environmental safeguards, and social standards has received a major boost.
The World Bank has rated the sustainable procurement, environmental and social standards enhancement (SPESSE) project satisfactory and approved additional financing to sustain its momentum.
Backed by the federal government of Nigeria, the World Bank, and the National Universities Commission (NUC), SPESSE was designed to address long-standing shortages of skilled professionals and the lack of structured academic pathways in key sectors.
Through coordinated training programmes hosted at six centres of excellence across Nigeria, the project has steadily bridged these gaps, producing professionals equipped to meet international best practices.
During a recent implementation support mission (ISM) led by World Bank task team leader Ishtiak Siddique and NUC’s national project coordinator, Joshua Atah, the team assessed project progress and reviewed activities under the original and additional financing.
The mission noted “significant progress”, with all four-project development objective (PDO) indicators fully achieved, and 12 of 18 performance-based conditions (PBCs) already met or exceeded. Five additional PBCs are expected to be completed by June 2026.
The mission engaged key stakeholders, including the SPESSE national facilitation implementation unit at the NUC, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and federal ministries overseeing women affairs, environment, and finance. It also reviewed the six Centres of Excellence at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; University of Benin; and University of Lagos.
Presentations from the centres highlighted milestones such as international accreditations, student exchange programmes, disbursement-linked indicators, and tracer studies showcasing the project’s impact.
One key achievement is the launch of professional certification examinations in procurement, environmental safeguards, and social safeguards.
Conducted online between April and June 2025, 3,429 candidates successfully completed certification: 2,121 in procurement, 855 in social safeguards, and 453 in environmental safeguards.
Overall, SPESSE has trained more than 85,000 participants across its six centres, cutting across multiple skill tracks.
Despite early disruptions from COVID-19, the project has maintained steady progress, earning recognition as one of Nigeria’s standout development initiatives.
The World Bank’s decision to provide additional financing extends SPESSE’s lifespan until June 2026, reflecting its improved outcomes and alignment with development objectives.
The project will continue deepening procurement reforms, expanding online training platforms, and strengthening institutional capacity, benefiting Nigeria’s public sector, private businesses, and local communities.
In a move to institutionalise SPESSE standards, the Bureau of Public Procurement has proposed making SPESSE courses mandatory for professional certification of all procurement officers.
Adebowale Adedokun, BPP director-general, confirmed that the proposal has received preliminary approval from the Head of Service and will be incorporated into the revised circular governing the procurement cadre.
Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining SPESSE’s impact, positioning it as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s push toward sustainable procurement, transparency, and responsible governance.
