Abuja: The Nigerian Social Standards Practice Certification Programme (NSSPCP) has announced its commitment to enhancing the nation’s social standards certification framework and fortifying its operational capabilities. This decision was among the key outcomes of the Second Regular Board Meeting held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Benjamin Okwesa, Administrative Secretary and Project Coordinator, highlighted that the NSSPCP was initiated to address long-standing gaps in project execution across the nation. The programme is a component of the World Bank-funded Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project.
The meeting commenced with a review of candidates’ performance, resulting in the approval of certificates for an additional 700 participants who completed training under the SPESSE Project’s Social Standards Node. This development brings the total number of certified professionals to nearly 2,000 since the programme’s inception.
Furthermore, the board agreed on restructuring the programme’s administrative secretariat to better align with World Bank recommendations. Prof. Muhammad Nuhu, chairman of the board, emphasized that these decisions translate directly into economic and social advancements, with 40,000 trained individuals and about 2,000 certified experts contributing to reduced project delays and enhanced protection for vulnerable groups.
Dr. Tosin Oso, a social development consultant at the World Bank, remarked that the initiative’s framework positions Nigeria to attract more responsible investments and adhere to global best practices. He noted that by respecting people’s rights and following clear guidelines, projects become more cost-effective, timely, and beneficial.
With the newly adopted resolutions, the NSSPCP aims to expand its influence across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, ensuring that qualified professionals are available for every government-led and donor-funded project in the country.