By Uche Aondohemba
The Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project, initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2019 with implementation centres across the country’s six geopolitical zones, is arguably one of the most successful World Bank-supported projects to be implemented in Nigeria. This is justified by the laudable milestones achieved by the project within this short period of its implementation.
One striking feature of the SPESSE project is its deliberate attempt to shift attention from building physical structures to human capacity building, a critical component of sustainable development and progress in any society.
In line with this mandate, the Centre for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS), Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM) now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, (JOSTUM) in the north-central region of Nigeria is at the forefront of driving human capacity development through a comprehensive approach that focuses on training, skills development, innovation, and research to pave the way for a prosperous and sustainable world. CIPESS FUAM has remained a reckoning force for human capacity development in North Central Nigeria and beyond focusing on Procurement Management, Environmental Sustainability, and Sustainable Social Development.
Despite the commendable milestones attained by CIPESS FUAM in the first half of 2024, the Centre’s management team has not basked in the euphoria of its previous accomplishments but has continued to unlock the potentials of individuals and organisations to enable them to navigate the complexities of today’s fast-paced world.
Since its inception, CIPESS JOSTUM has trained 10,362 short courses (Track A) participants comprising 4797, 3028, and 2537 in procurement, Environmental, and Social Standards respectively. Over 931 advanced certificate course (Track B) participants have also been trained in a face-to-face training mode in the three core fields anchored by the Center. With the launching of the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD -Track C), Master of Science degree (M.Sc. -Track D), and Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc. -Track E), CIPESS JOSTUM has successfully mounted the five stipulated tracks of the SPESSE project and has delivered short course training to the six North Central States and the FCT, Abuja.
As a result of the launching of Tracks C and D, CIPESS FUAM has recently graduated 13 participants with postgraduate Diploma and seven master’s degree students in Sustainable Social Development while the Procurement Management and Environmental Sustainability postgraduate students are awaiting external examination. It is interesting to note that, the Centre in the cause of its Tracks A and D training onboarded international students which has saliently re-internationalized FUAM. CIPESS FUAM currently has a set of Bachelor of Science degree (Track E) students while admissions are ongoing for a new set in the three thematic areas.
CIPESS FUAM has fully migrated her short courses and advanced certificate courses to online delivery, making it possible for a wide spectrum of people constrained by tight work schedules to advance their knowledge, abilities, and professional qualifications. This has led to the training of a combined 1,824 online short course (Track A) participants in procurement, environmental and social standards (PES). Online training of Track B participants has commenced, and the number of participants is overwhelming. The design and delivery approaches of the SPESSE project curriculum in CIPESS FUAM have placed a huge training demand on the Centre across the five tracks, resulting in the over-subscription of all our recent training announcements.
Participants are already harvesting the fruits of the programme as several trainees have earned promotions, and gotten job offers, appointments, and recommendations in various spheres of industry. A case in point is the current Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Benue State, Engr Dr Comfort Adadu who was a trainee of CIPESS FUAM in procurement standards. The Director General who still, facilitates procurement courses at the Centre is making a tremendous impact in Benue State through the knowledge and expertise gained from the training programme at CIPESS FUAM.
Akumba Dorcas, another procurement standards participant wrote and informed that, she is currently working with “The Challenge Initiative”, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Abuja having presented a short course certificate she earned at CIPESS FUAM.
The overwhelming testimonies of participants indicate that, apart from the improvement of professional principles and industry best practices in their workplaces, CIPESS FUAM’s programmes have advanced participants’ professional growth and also opened doors to new career opportunities.
Sujith Vasanthakumar an Indian, who took an online procurement standards course attested that the course content, particularly on sustainable public procurement and project management elements in consultancy contracting, is of exceptional quality. The anticipation of advanced courses being offered in virtual mode further strengthens CIPESS’ potential to become a leading professional platform for Nigeria and the entire Global South.
Owoicho Obiye Emmanuel wrote, “I completed two online short courses in Introduction to Procurement in Public and Private Sectors, Procurement Management/Supervision and Procurement Audit. I am pleased to inform you that during my training, I was offered a promotion to the Spare Parts and Procurement Department. The knowledge and skills I gained from these courses have been instrumental in my day-to-day job activities. The training has empowered me to approach my responsibilities with greater expertise and professionalism. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the CIPESS/FUAM team for providing such a comprehensive and impactful learning experience. The courses have significantly contributed to my professional growth, and I am eager to continue applying the insights I have gained in my current role and beyond. Thank you once again for your support and for fostering an environment of continuous learning and development.
On his part, Engr Ijir Tersoo, a master’s degree student of Environmental Sustainability wrote, “My journey started when my brother and friend, Uche Michael (Communications Officer, CIPESS JOSTUM) told us about CIPESS programmes in our meeting. I seized the opportunity and applied and by the grace of God, I am on the verge of completing the programme as I await my oral examination. It has been an interesting experience. Every course has been mind-blowing, exposing us to a new and relevant experience necessary to secure our environment for today and tomorrow. The learning environment is exquisite, with state-of-the-art facilities. The lecturers are also well vexed in their areas. The master stroke is the duration of the programme. Although there are areas like the availability of laboratories, one can only thank the management team for their tireless efforts as they are doing a wonderful job. By and large, I feel so fulfilled, distinguished, and happy that I did not allow this wonderful opportunity to pass me by. I can now confidently contribute towards making the environment more sustainable.
The Vice-Chancellor, JOSTUM, Engr Professor Isaac Nathaniel Itodo has constantly rated CIPESS JOSTUM as the flagship programme of the University as it fills the knowledge gap that exists in the curricular of Nigerian Universities. In his opinion, this further explains why the programme is being competed for by other institutions. The profound impact of the project on individuals, organisations, and the host University has prompted the Senate of the University to approve its transformation from a Centre to an Institute of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (IPESS). This is one of the strategic steps by FUAM administration aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the project.
The profound influence of CIPESS on FUAM and the north-central region has made it possible for the National Universities Commission (NUC) to speedily approve the establishment of a Distance Learning Center (DLC) in FUAM. This remarkable milestone will open the space for so many potential students to participate in the Centre’s viable programmes irrespective of their schedules thereby improving the University’s visibility and ranking.
As part of its innovation, CIPESS FUAM has organised customized executive training workshops for Vice Chancellors and heads of procurement in Nigerian Universities in Abuja and, senior civil servants in Nasarawa State. This was a deliberate move having understood the importance of building the capacity of those in leadership positions. Both trainings were held successfully, and participants were awarded certificates of participation.
It is well known that the remarkable achievements recorded at the Centre from inception to date were the corollary of the painstaking effort of a dedicated and committed CIPESS FUAM team led by the Centre Leader and Director, Professor Lami A. Nnamonu. As a result, the 9th Governing Council of JOSTUM issued certificates of award to the team in recognition of their exemplary commitment and creative leadership which is genuinely changing the lives of many people.
CIPESS FUAM’s human capacity-building strides are indeed a sure path to a better future. By investing in education, skills development, empowerment, and innovation, CIPESS JOSTUM is laying the foundation for a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable world. As individuals grow and develop their capacities, they become agents of positive change, driving progress and shaping a brighter tomorrow. The impact of CIPESS FUAM’s efforts will ripple through generations, transforming lives and communities for the better. This all-encompassing strategy for building human potential in procurement, environmental, and social standards is indeed sculpting a future where people are empowered, institutions are held responsible, and communities thrive.
As everyone celebrates CIPESS FUAM’s progress, it is pertinent to always recognise the positive knock-on effect of its footprints which continues to inspire and enhance the lives of countless individuals worldwide.
