The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced that at least 24,000 Nigerians will benefit from a fresh $65 million financing phase under the World Bank-backed Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement project.
The signing of performance contracts for the new funding phase took place in Abuja on Wednesday during a formal ceremony attended by key stakeholders.
The World Bank-supported SPESSE project is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s institutional and human capacity in procurement, environmental management and social standards across both public and private sectors.
NUC Expands Capacity-Building Programme
According to the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Abdullahi Ribadu, the additional financing builds on the achievements of the initial $80 million SPESSE programme launched in 2021.
Ribadu explained that the initiative was created to address the shortage of skilled professionals in critical governance and development sectors, especially procurement systems, environmental management and social safeguards.
He disclosed that six centres of excellence were established across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to ensure regional inclusion and provide long-term professional training.
“With the support of the World Bank and under the coordination of the NUC, six centres of excellence were established across the six geopolitical zones to provide sustainable capacity building in these critical sectors,” Ribadu said.
PhD Programmes, Foreign Students Included
The NUC boss stated that three of the six centres have already commenced PhD programmes, while the remaining centres are expected to begin similar programmes by July 2026.
Under the new funding phase, the commission plans to:
- Produce at least 60 PhD graduates
- Attract 60 foreign students
- Expand international student exchange programmes
- Support staff internships
- Improve professional training standards
Ribadu noted that the participating universities were selected through a competitive process assessing institutional readiness, sustainability and quality assurance systems.
BPP, World Bank Highlight Early Impact
Also speaking, Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), said the SPESSE programme has already trained more than 2,700 officers across the public and private sectors.
According to him, the next phase will support Nigeria’s electronic procurement system and expand online training for policymakers and small businesses handling public funds.
Meanwhile, Ishtiak Siddique, the World Bank Task Team Leader for SPESSE, disclosed that the original phase of the programme trained over 40,000 participants, with more than 4,000 individuals receiving certification in procurement, environmental and social standards.
He added that the new funding would focus heavily on strengthening federal, state and local government institutions to improve development outcomes nationwide.
Total SPESSE Funding Rises to $145 Million
The latest financing expands the overall SPESSE project funding to $145 million following the World Bank’s approval of an additional $65 million credit facility in 2025.
The programme has become one of the Federal Government’s flagship capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving governance standards, procurement systems and public sector accountability across Nigeria.
