FGN reaffirms support for Speese Project to enhance skilled Workforce and promote Economic Growth

Oru Leonard 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its strong commitment to the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPEESE) Project, an initiative aimed at expanding the skilled workforce and driving socio-economic development across Nigeria.

Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, expressed this commitment during a meeting in Abuja with Mr. Ishtiak Siddique, the World Bank’s SPEESE Task Team Leader.

Ambassador Aduda highlighted the establishment of a technical working group within the Ministry, composed of experts from various professional fields under the Social Standard Node. This group has been tasked with ensuring the successful achievement of the Project’s 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,” the Permanent Secretary explained.

As the lead agency for implementing the social standards aspect of the SPEESE Project, the Ministry of Women Affairs is working diligently to expedite the launch of the Certification Portal. This platform will be instrumental in maintaining social standards in Nigeria, in line with international best practices.

Ambassador Aduda further noted that the launch of the Certification Portal will significantly reduce corruption, introduce global digitalization into the country’s educational system, and create new job opportunities for Nigeria’s youth.

Earlier, Mr. Ishtiak Siddique, the World Bank SPEESE Task Team Leader, commended the Ministry of Women Affairs and its partners for their dedication to the project. He emphasized the importance of the Ministry’s role in upholding social standards and praised their efforts in preparing for the launch of the Certification Portal.
In his remarks, the SPESSE Co-TTL for the social node, Mr. Michael Gboyega Ilesanmi noted that the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Project will strengthen capacity in managing procurement, environmental and social standards in the public and private sectors.
He noted that the project will enhance the skills of over 21,000 people and help 4,000 professionals become certified in procurement, environment, and social standards. It will also ensure that accredited degree programs meet International best practices and Good International Industry Practice in these areas.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Benjamin Okwesa, Project Coordinator for the Social Standards Node, explained that once operational, the Certification Portal will not only certify graduates from the six selected Centres of Excellence involved in the Project but also extend certification to professionals interested in the field.

Mr. Okwesa added that the new cadre of social standards introduced by the World Bank is currently being developed by the Office of the Head of Civil Service

(FMWA Press)