Chioma Sunny-Adikwu
As part of its efforts to mitigate intensifying climate impacts and rising geopolitical uncertainty, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (FUTO CE-sPESS) convened the 2nd International Conference on Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (ICPES 2025) under the theme, “Achieving Sustainable and Resilient Livelihoods in the Face of Climate Change”.
Held in November 2025, at the FUTOWA complex, the conference brought together academics, government officials, practitioners, industry experts, students, and development stakeholders to explore how policy, procurement, and environmental governance can support more resilient and sustainable livelihoods. The event opened with an engaging student debate between participants from the School of Environmental Sciences (SOES) and CE-sPESS. Ten topics linked to the theme of the conference were contested, with Ibekwe Favour, a first-year student in the Procurement Unit, emerging as the overall winner for her articulate argument against the motion “sustainable procurement should be mandatory for all public institutions, regardless of cost”.
In his welcome address at the opening ceremony, the Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Prof. Chris Nwoko, emphasised the urgency of cross-sector collaboration in addressing the multidimensional consequences of climate change. He described the conference as “a vital platform for sharing knowledge, innovations, and developing scalable solutions.”
The Host and Director of FUTO CE-sPESS, Engr. Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe elevated the discourse, stressing that “Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a present reality”. She concluded with a powerful charge, urging attendees to adopt sustainability not as a slogan, but as a “survival strategy.”
The Conference, which enjoyed high-level endorsement, had in attendance the Chief Host, Prof. Nnenna N. Oti, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, who applauded the synergistic collaboration between CE-sPESS, SOES, and the Directorate of General Studies (DGS). She stated that the conference had “created a platform that transcends borders and disciplines, reaffirming FUTO’s position as a bold and innovative player in the international academic space.” The Imo State Government, represented by Hon. Kelechi Okoro, the Director General of the Imo State Bureau of Procurement and Price Intelligence, acknowledged the tangible impact of FUTO CE-sPESS, noting that state workers and all Local Government Chairmen have been trained in Procurement Management, thanks to the Centre’s initiatives.
Furthermore, the keynote speaker, Prof. Ogbonna Joel, who is Abia State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources and African Representative of the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP), USA, emphasised the need for a multidisciplinary approach in achieving Climate goals. “It involves stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and civil society collaborating to innovate and implement procurement policies that prioritise environmental stewardship and social justice,” he stated. He championed a shift from reactive to proactive environmental management, focusing on the root causes of problems rather than just the outcomes.
Echoing this sentiment, the Special Guest Speaker, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, DG of the Bureau for Public Procurement, Abuja, delivered a stark and data-driven presentation. He revealed that “procurement systems are responsible for approximately 15% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions,” making them a critical leverage point for climate action. He critiqued traditional low-cost bidding models and championed digitalisation as a means of creating transparent and accountable sustainability metrics.
A major highlight was the panel session on the SPESSE Project Certification programme, anchored by Engr. Prof. B.U. Dike. Commissioners of Environment from Imo, Abia, and Anambra States expressed their Ministries’ commitment to the project, engaging in a robust Q&A on certifications. Representing the National Project Coordinator, Dr Joshua Atah, Mr Peter Tobrise noted that “the SPESSE programme has notably transformed Nigeria’s public governance scene by developing a skilled workforce in sustainable procurement, environmental management, and social safeguards,” highlighting its role in entrenching international best practices. The National Universities Commission (NUC), represented by Yvonne Orekyeh, reaffirmed its unwavering support for the FUTO CE-sPESS, applauding its leadership and collaborative resilience. Awards of excellence were presented to key contributors, including the FUTO Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs) Nnenna Oti, the Chairman and the Managing Director of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Engr. (Dr) Samuel Osorochi Nwanosike and Dr Ibimina Wokoma, respectively.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the Steering Committee Chair, Prof. Jerry Obi-Okogbuo, who encouraged all participants to “learn, unlearn and relearn for a resilient society, where our collective efforts will strengthen our national and global resolve toward environmental and social sustainability, while reinforcing transparency, accountability, and value for money in procurement processes.”
His words perfectly encapsulated the spirit of ICPES 2025 – a gathering not just for discussion, but for transformation, equipping a new generation of leaders with the tools to build a sustainable and resilient future for all.
