On March 8, 2025, the World Bank Task Team, led by SPESSE Task Team Leader Mr. Ishtiak Badu, met with the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. This meeting was part of the Nigeria Sustainable Procurement, Environmental, and Social Standards Enhancement Project (SPESSE) Additional Financing Identification Mission, which took place between March 3rd and 12th, 2025.

The World Bank team, accompanied by the National SPESSE Project Coordinator Dr. Joshua Ata, discussed the progress of the SPESSE project, which has been operational since 2021 and has been extended until June 2026. The project aims to improve the capacity of practitioners across three key areas: procurement, environmental, and social standards, with the Social Standards Node managed by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

During the meeting, Mr. Badu highlighted the achievements of the project, noting that over 40,000 people have been trained in short, medium, and long-term courses at six Centres of Excellence across the country. The Social Standards Node’s Certification Framework, which was completed in 2024 after an extensive stakeholder’s consultations and engagement will standardize certification for social standards professionals in Nigeria. The Certification Framework and the Social Standards Portal to be officially launched by the Honourable Ministers of the three Implementing Ministries of Women Affairs, Works &Housing, Labour & Productivity.

The Honourable Minister acknowledged the project’s importance and instructed the Project Coordinator to provide a detailed briefing to the Permanent Secretary in order to ensure a clearer understanding and informed decision-making.

The meeting underscored the collaborative effort between the World Bank and the Ministry, with a focus on strengthening Nigeria’s social safeguards and ensuring that the certification process for Social Standards professionals is carried out effectively. The Honourable Minister concluded the meeting by directing that necessary follow-up actions should commence to ensure continued success of the SPESSE project.

The SPESSE project, which aims to enhance capacity in managing sustainable procurement, environmental, and social standards, requires robust technological infrastructure to support its certification processes. The visit, which took place on October 4th and 5th, was triggered by the need for a reliable backup for the Environment and Social Standards Nodes’ certification portals.

During Day One, the team, led by Mr. Bola Majekodumi of Infrafocus, toured the data centre facilities. They observed the setup of high-performance computers and the integration of various cybersecurity measures to ensure network security. Infrafocus also provided a comprehensive explanation of the network architecture, including its partnerships with major internet service providers like MTN, Airtel, and Glo to ensure stable connectivity.

Although the data center met many of the SPESSE project’s needs, including storage and server uptime, the team raised concerns about its ability to serve as the primary host for the certification portals. Discussions centered on the necessity of enhancing network reliability and adding another internet access line to improve service. The team also considered implementing a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to ensure optimal internet performance.

Day Two of the visit focused on addressing these concerns, with Infrafocus proposing a solution to mirror the data from Lagos to a secondary data center in Abuja for redundancy. This would ensure continuous service in case of network disruptions.

The final recommendation from the assessment was that while the certification portal would be hosted in the cloud, the Infrafocus facilities could serve as an effective backup. The team agreed on the importance of upgrading the existing infrastructure and adding another internet line to enhance reliability. With these adjustments, the SPESSE project can move forward with confidence, knowing that it has a reliable backup system in place for the critical certification portal infrastructure. The assessment marked a significant step towards ensuring the success of the project’s technological infrastructure and its ongoing delivery.

The main objectives of the workshop were to review and finalise the Social Standards Certification Framework, to complete the Professional Competency-Based Questions (PCQs), and to establish the Verification Protocol for the certification process. Additionally, the workshop provided a platform for testing the newly developed online Certification Portal.

A major outcome of the workshop was the completion of the certification framework and the development of 1,234 PCQs that will be used to assess candidates during the certification examination. These questions were meticulously designed to evaluate the professional competence of candidates in the social standards field. The workshop also successfully reviewed and adopted the Verification Protocol, ensuring that the certification process maintains high standards of integrity and transparency.

The test-run of the Certification Portal marked another significant milestone, demonstrating its readiness for use in the official certification process. As a result of the workshop, leaders from the Centres of Excellence were tasked with submitting lists of their graduates to the Social Standards Node, facilitating the upcoming certification efforts. The successful conclusion of this workshop is a key step in standardizing social standards practices in Nigeria and providing a formal mechanism for certifying professionals in the field. With the completion of the PCQs and the Certification Framework, the SPESSE project is well-positioned to launch a robust certification system that will enhance the quality of social

In a significant step towards strengthening the Social Standards certification process, the SPESSE project held a crucial workshop to harmonize the curriculum across its Centres of Excellence (CEs). The workshop, which took place from December 18th to 20th, 2023, at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre at the University of Lagos, focused on aligning the existing curriculum with the certification guidelines developed by the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Social Standards Node (SSN).

The primary objective of the workshop was to create a unified curriculum that would ensure consistency across the six Centres of Excellence. By harmonizing Tracks A and B, which were previously used separately in the CEs, the workshop aimed to streamline the certification process and guarantee that all professional components and subjects required for the Social Standards certification were comprehensively covered.

With experts and educators from the CEs present, the workshop facilitated a thorough review of the curriculum framework. This collaborative effort was designed to ensure that the professional standards expected of Social Standards graduates were met across all institutions. By merging the two tracks into one cohesive curriculum, the workshop sought to ensure that all students from the Centres of Excellence would receive consistent and high-quality training that meets the certification requirements set out by the SPESSE project.

The harmonization process was not just about alignment; it was also about refining and enhancing the content to reflect current trends and best practices in the social standards and procurement field. As a result, the new unified curriculum will serve as a solid foundation for the development of Professional Competency-Based Questions (PCQs), which will be used to assess candidates in the certification exams.

One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the unanimous adoption of the harmonized curriculum. This new, unified curriculum will be the official guide for the six Centres of Excellence and the Social Standards Node moving forward. The harmonization also laid the groundwork for the next phase of the certification process – the creation of synopses for each topic in the curriculum. Participants in the workshop agreed to continue the development of these synopses virtually, using a dedicated WhatsApp group created for this purpose.

A clear timeline was set for finalizing the development of the synopses, with the process scheduled to be completed by January 26th, 2024. This timeline underscores the commitment of the SPESSE project to maintain momentum and ensure that all elements of the curriculum are refined and ready for the certification process.

Additionally, the workshop highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring and evaluation by the Social Standards Node. The Node will be responsible for overseeing the application of the newly harmonized curriculum across the Centres of Excellence to ensure that the standards are being met consistently and effectively.

The inauguration of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Social Standards Node of the SPESSE project marked a significant development in the implementation of the project’s goals. Held on the 3rd and 4th of July 2023 at Sawalino Hotel in Keffi, Nasarawa State, the inaugural retreat brought together representatives from key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FML&E), and Lands Department of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMW&H).

The retreat was an important occasion for introducing the newly constituted TWG members to their roles and responsibilities in overseeing the Social Standards component of the SPESSE project. During the retreat, TWG members were provided with an in-depth understanding of the project’s objectives, with a particular focus on its social standards, which aim to foster sustainable procurement practices, enhance environmental protection, and promote social accountability.

The retreat saw the official inauguration of the TWG members, who were briefed on their duties as outlined in the project’s Terms of Reference (ToR). This included updates on the project’s progress and the critical role the TWG will play in ensuring the success of the Social Standards Node. Notably, one of the retreat’s key achievements was the adoption of a draft certification framework, which will serve as a benchmark for measuring the professional competency of individuals involved in the social standards field.

Another important outcome of the retreat was the establishment of a Steering Committee, aimed at enhancing coordination and fostering synergy across the various stakeholders involved in the project. Prof. Mohammed Bashar Nuhu of Federal University of Technology Minna, was appointed as the chairman of the committee, with a mandate to oversee the collaboration efforts within the project.

In a strategic effort to empower trainers and enhance their capacity to effectively deliver on the SPESSE project’s objectives, the SPESSE project organized a comprehensive Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop from the 22nd to 26th of May 2023 at the National University Commission in Abuja, Nigeria. The workshop was designed to provide an essential foundation for trainers, enabling them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver high-quality training in line with the project’s environmental and social standards (ESS).

The primary objective of the TOT workshop was to ensure that all trainers understood the purpose and scope of the SS Node within the SPESSE project and were familiar with the specific environmental and social standards required for its successful implementation. The workshop provided a platform for participants to deepen their understanding of the project’s goals and to learn the methodologies that would enable them to pass on this knowledge effectively to others.

A significant feature of the workshop was the emphasis on creating a collaborative environment among participants, including members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) and Centres of Excellence (CEs). Through interactive discussions and case study reviews, participants were able to share insights, best practices, and challenges encountered in their respective regions. This collaborative approach not only helped build a network of support among the participants but also encouraged the exchange of innovative ideas for improving project delivery.

The workshop’s curriculum also covered the development of a common framework for implementing the SS Node across various centres. Trainers were educated on the best practices for ensuring the successful integration of ESS requirements within the SPESSE project and were encouraged to adopt methodologies that would ensure consistent results across the board. By the end of the training, participants were equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the ESS framework and the necessary tools to train others effectively. This, in turn, will help strengthen the SPESSE project’s impact on social standards and environmental protection across Nigeria. The TOT workshop is one of several capacity-building initiatives aimed at ensuring that all stakeholders involved in the SPESSE project have the skills and resources necessary to drive its success and meet global standards for sustainable development.

The primary focus of this workshop was to train staff members on the effective application of the Learning Management System (LMS) – an essential tool for the administration, documentation, and reporting of SPESSE project activities as stated in the Projects Appraisal Document (PAD). As the SPESSE project continues to evolve, it is crucial for team members to be well-versed in the digital tools that facilitate training delivery, automate processes, and ensure seamless tracking and reporting.

The orientation session, designed for project officers and staff, aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to maximize the potential of the LMS which would later be designed as part of the Certification Portal. Through detailed demonstrations, participants learned how to use the software effectively for various tasks, including course delivery, tracking project development, and ensuring that the project’s goals were met efficiently and within set timelines.

Building the capacity of staff members is an integral part of the SPESSE project’s sustainability strategy and for ensuring that sustainable procurement and social standards are met across all levels of project implementation. By introducing such tools, the project strengthens the operational capacity of the team, enabling them to adapt to evolving challenges and requirements within the project’s framework.

Furthermore, this workshop underscores SPESSE’s commitment to enhancing professional skills within its workforce, ensuring that officers are not only equipped to handle the immediate demands of the project but are also prepared for long-term sustainability. By prioritizing knowledge-sharing, the workshop contributes to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development among all members involved in the project. The successful completion of this orientation workshop is an important milestone for the SPESSE project, setting the stage for the effective application of the LMS in driving project success. Participants left the workshop with greater confidence in their ability to manage and execute key project functions, ultimately contributing to the realization of SPESSE’s overarching goals in Nigeria.