In a firm move towards strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing service delivery across Nigeria’s social development sector, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, has declared open the Capacity Building Workshop for staff of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and its implementing partners under the Social Standards Node of the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project.
The week-long training, hosted at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Centre in Abuja, aims to equip stakeholders with advanced knowledge aligned with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and the broader objectives of the SPESSE project. The Workshop is organized in collaboration with the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), one of the designated Centres of Excellence anchoring the Social Standards Node.
In her keynote address, the Honourable Minister, represented by the Project Coordinator, Mr Benjamin Okwesa, emphasized the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to social protection and capacity development for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations in Nigeria. She noted that this training is a direct response to the pressing challenges of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), communal conflicts, displacement, land acquisition issues, poor labour conditions, and other social risks that undermine community well-being and economic stability.
“These challenges continue to devastate individuals, families, and households, and it is for this reason that the Ministry, in conjunction with our sister Ministries—Labour and Employment, and Housing and Urban Development, remain committed to the full implementation of SPESSE project goals,” she said.
Highlighting the core objectives of the SPESSE project, Imaan explained that the initiative is designed to professionalize and certify practitioners across the Procurement, Environmental, and Social Standards fields through academic programmes, certification frameworks, and robust training models. She lauded the development of the SPESSE Certification Portal and encouraged participants to embrace online certification opportunities for flexibility and global relevance.
“In today’s digital world, online training has become essential. It offers accessible, flexible, and up-to-date learning, which is critical for any country aspiring for inclusive and sustainable development,” the Minister asserted.
She assured stakeholders of the Ministry’s continued support for the SPESSE project and called on the National Universities Commission (NUC), FUAM, other Centres of Excellence, and implementing agencies to remain steadfast in ensuring full compliance with the project’s Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).
In her closing remarks, Imaan urged all participants to engage fully, ask questions, share knowledge, and return to their duty posts better equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“This workshop is not just about learning; it is about empowerment and equipping you to be change agents within your institutions and communities,” she concluded.
The Honourable Minister also extended appreciation to the World Bank for its consistent support in Nigeria’s economic and social development journey.
All other stakeholders, participants from the implementing Ministries and development partners unanimously hailed the initiative as a laudable one from the Federal Government in collaboration with the World Bank.
EmemMARIA Offiong anipr
AD/Head, Press, Info & PR
