The World Bank has commended the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Project, domiciled in the National Universities Commission, for commencing professional certification examinations for select institutions.
The Bank described the development as a critical milestone that marks the transition of the Project from theoretical capacity building to standards-based certification in practice.
Speaking during the visit, the World Bank Task Team Leader, Ishtiak Siddiqe, praised the initiative on certification activities but cautioned that success should not be measured merely by the volume of certificates issued.
He stressed that the long-term value of the programme would depend on the credibility, governance, and verifiability of the systems underpinning the certification process, particularly the National Environmental Standards Certification Programme, NESCP.
It noted that the certification exercise was a key outcome of the recently concluded Implementation Support Mission on the SPESSE Project, held between November and December 2025.
Director of the Environmental Assessment Department, Ruth Odetoro, who received the Task Team on behalf of the world bank team, reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to building certification systems under SPESSE that are credible, transparent, and institutionally sustainable.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
