NUC and World Bank Sign New Contracts for Nigerian Universities

On Wednesday, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and six host institutions in Nigeria signed new performance contracts as part of the World Bank's SPESS project. This initiative, which began in 2021, aims to address the shortage of skilled professionals in procurement and environmental social standards.

The World Bank has committed an additional $65 million, raising the total funding for the SPESS project to $145 million, with implementation expected to continue until June 2029. The project has already trained 40,000 participants and established six centers of excellence across Nigeria's geopolitical zones.

Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, the Executive Secretary of NUC, described this new phase as a significant step in strengthening Nigeria's capacity in procurement and social standards management. The centers are also beginning to enroll foreign students and have formed 68 international partnerships to enhance collaboration in teaching and research.