NUC, WORLD BANK SIGN $65M DEAL TO STRENGTHEN UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE STANDARDS
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By;Ganiyat Sunmola
The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Wednesday signed additional performance contracts worth $65 million with Vice-Chancellors of participating universities under a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at improving procurement, environmental, and social governance standards across Nigeria’s higher education system.
The agreement is part of the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project and was formalised at a ceremony in Abuja attended by officials from the NUC, Bureau of Public Procurement, World Bank representatives, and partner universities.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Abdullahi Ribadu, described the new funding phase as a renewed push to strengthen Nigeria’s expertise in procurement, environmental, and social standards.
He said the additional financing would consolidate earlier achievements, expand ongoing programmes, and ensure long-term sustainability across participating institutions.
Ribadu explained that the SPESSE project was created to address critical skill gaps in procurement and environmental safeguards, as well as the limited availability of specialised academic programmes in Nigerian universities.
He noted that six Centres of Excellence were established across the country, including at Ahmadu Bello University and Lagos State University, to build capacity in these areas.
According to him, the centres have played a key role in producing skilled professionals to support transparency, environmental responsibility, and inclusive development.
He added that since 2021, the project has achieved significant milestones, including curriculum development across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, improved research infrastructure, and digital learning systems.
Ribadu also disclosed that three of the centres have already commenced PhD programmes, while the remaining ones are expected to begin by July 2026.
He further revealed that the project aims to produce at least 60 PhD graduates, attract foreign students, facilitate staff internships, and promote international student exchanges.
Task Team Leader of the SPESSE project, Ishtiak Siddique, said the initiative remains one of the World Bank’s most impactful partnerships with Nigeria, noting its broad relevance across multiple sectors.
He said over 40,000 participants have already been trained, with an additional 24,000 targeted under the new financing phase.
Siddique also announced plans for the rollout of an electronic procurement system that will enhance transparency and efficiency in public sector operations.
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Adebowale Adedokun, said the agency remains committed to building a workforce that is both academically and professionally competent, adding that over 2,700 officers have already been trained.
He noted that the next phase will support the implementation of a nationwide e-procurement system and expand capacity-building programmes for public institutions and SMEs.
Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said the project has strengthened institutional systems and improved training in procurement, environmental, and social standards.
Similarly, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Adamu Ahmed, highlighted increased student enrolment and the expansion of virtual learning platforms under the programme.
The SPESSE project, launched in 2021 with an initial $80 million World Bank facility, continues to focus on building Nigeria’s capacity in procurement, environmental, and social governance through specialised university-based training.
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