It is of essence Nigeria gets it right in procurement, environmental and social safeguards if the objectives of the federal government economic recovery growth plan and sustainable development projects are to be achieved. Vice president Yemi Osinbajo stated this at the launch of the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standard Enhancement Project (SPESSE)at the Headquarters of the National Universities Commission NUC Abuja. The 80 million dollars world bank assisted SPESSE project was initiated to bridge the gap between insufficient supply of quality professionals in the procurement, environmental and social sectors and the lack of academic programmes and curriculum in these sectors in the Nigerian Education system. Represented by minister of state Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Osinbajo who commended efforts at putting together the nation’s procurement act was however quick to add that there is room for improvement especially as it relates to addressing the present challenges. Meanwhile,Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Sonny Echonu made case for home grown experts in the field the project intends to cover. Responding on behalf of the SPESSE centres, vice chancellor, university of Lagos, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe expressed their readiness to host the Centres.
