The Federal Government has reinforced its unwavering commitment to the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental, and Social Standards Enhancement (SPEESE) Project, a key initiative to bolster Nigeria’s skilled workforce and advance socio-economic development nationwide.
During a meeting in Abuja with Mr. Ishtiak Siddique, the World Bank‘s SPEESE Task Team Leader, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, highlighted the critical steps being taken to ensure the project’s success.
He noted the establishment of a technical working group within the Ministry, comprised of experts from various professional fields under the Social Standard Node.
He said the group is charged with the responsibility of steering the project towards achieving its ambitious objectives.
“We are currently developing Proficiency Competency Questions in three key areas—social standards, land and resettlement, and labour working conditions. These will be integrated into a Certification Portal for graduates,” Ambassador Aduda explained.
He assured that as the lead agency for the social standards aspect of the SPEESE Project, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is dedicated to the timely launch of the Certification Portal.
He noted that the platform is expected to play a pivotal role in upholding social standards in Nigeria, aligning them with international best practices.
Ambassador Aduda emphasized that the introduction of the Certification Portal will not only reduce corruption but also introduce a new level of global digitalization into Nigeria’s educational system.
”Furthermore, the initiative is anticipated to create numerous job opportunities for the country’s youth, contributing to national development,” he stated.
Earlier, Mr. Ishtiak Siddique, the World Bank SPEESE Task Team Leader, lauded the Ministry of Women Affairs and its partners for their steadfast dedication to the project.
He reiterated the importance of the Ministry’s role in maintaining social standards and commended their preparations for the upcoming launch of the Certification Portal.
Adding to the discussion, Mr. Michael Gboyega Ilesanmi, the SPEESE Co-Task Team Leader for the social node, noted that the SPEESE Project will significantly enhance the capacity to manage procurement, environmental, and social standards within both the public and private sectors.
He said the project aims to enhance the skills of over 21,000 individuals and help certify 4,000 professionals in these critical areas, ensuring that accredited degree programs meet international standards and Good International Industry Practice.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Benjamin Okwesa, Project Coordinator for the Social Standards Node, elaborated on the broader impact of the Certification Portal.
He explained that once operational, the portal will not only certify graduates from the six selected Centres of Excellence involved in the Project but will also extend certification to professionals interested in pursuing careers in this field.
Mr. Okwesa also mentioned that the Office of the Head of Civil Service is currently developing a new cadre of social standards professionals introduced by the World Bank.
He maintained that the Federal Government’s continued support and the Ministry of Women Affairs’ diligent efforts are critical to ensuring the success of the SPEESE Project, which is poised to make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
