‘UNILAG-SPESSCE To Lead Africa In Human Capital Development’—Prof. Ogunsola

By Happy Ajuebon

Professor Folasade Ogunsola, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has said that one goal of the university’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environment and Social Standards Enhancement (UNILAG-SPESSECE) is to lead Nigeria and Africa in human capital development.

She said the centre’s vision also covers providing cutting-edge research, policy development, and implementing procurement, environment and social standards (PES) to attain the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The Vice-Chancellor made this statement at the reception of a combined team of officials from the World Bank, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the Federal Ministry of Finance, who were in UNILAG on a project visit to SPESSECE on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

She thanked the visiting officials and other stakeholders for their ongoing support and collaboration with UNILAG-SPESSECE since its inception, describing their support as the centre’s motivation in achieving its mandate.

The Vice-Chancellor also stated that UNILAG would explore technology to propel academic programmes in sustainable procurement and to enhance environmental and social standards.

In their remarks, Dr Joshua Attah, project coordinator at the National Universities Commission (NUC), and Mr Siddique Ishtiak, lead procurement specialist at the World Bank, commended the university authority for effectively managing the centre and the milestones achieved so far.

On behalf of the NUC, Dr. Attah charged the university management to grow the UNILAG-SPESSECE into a regional hub for other African countries. Mr. Ishtiak, on his part, assured the management of the World Bank’s commitment to providing needed support and partnership.

The University of Lagos Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (UNILAG-SPESSECE) is an initiative of the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Universities Commission (NUC).

UNILAG-SPESSECE is one of six centres approved by the World Bank and NUC through a competitive bidding process among federal universities in Nigeria.