By Jeremiah Ugwu
In a move to foster cross-border collaboration and promote sustainable development practices, the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Centre of Excellence (SPESSECE) at the University of Benin recently led a delegation of outstanding undergraduate students to Accra, Ghana, for a high-level training programme on Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP).
The week-long training brought together participants from Nigeria and Ghana to explore real-world strategies for embedding sustainability into public procurement systems.
According to the Centre Leader, Prof Sylvester Osuji, the programme marked a key milestone in SPESSECE UNIBEN’s mission to build professional capacity in procurement systems that are transparent, environmentally sound, and socially responsible.
The Centre Leader, who was represented by the Students Coordinator, Dr Mrs Animetu Rawlings, disclosed that the participants gained valuable experience through practical, hands-on workshops that allowed them to apply sustainable procurement principles in simulated scenarios.
According to her, the students participated in various interactive sessions, fostering dynamic discussions and exchanging diverse perspectives on real-world challenges.
“Additionally, in-depth case studies illustrated concrete examples of how effective procurement strategies can directly contribute to achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as promoting environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic efficiency within public sector projects. This comprehensive approach equipped participants with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to use procurement as a powerful tool for sustainable development.
“This engagement also serves to further reinforce the pivotal role of SPESSECE University of Benin as one of the leading institutions in the advancement of sustainable procurement. Through its unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovative approaches, and strategic partnerships, the Centre continues to set benchmarks in shaping the capacity of procurement professionals dedicated to sustainable development across the region,” she added.
The training was conducted in collaboration with key Ghanaian institutions, including the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). These partnerships enabled the delegation to engage with experts, visit procurement institutions, and helped them to understand local implementation dynamics.
One of the students, Splendor Imobong Akanniyene, described the programme as far more than a conventional training. “It proved to be a truly transformational academic and professional experience. The opportunity to engage with peers and professionals from across West Africa, within the context of Ghana’s dynamic procurement landscape, significantly enhanced our understanding of regional collaboration and its critical importance in driving sustainable, transparent, and inclusive public service delivery,” she said.
