The Sustainable, Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Centre of Excellence (SPESSCE), Ahmadu Bello University has organised a maiden orientation for newly undergraduate and postgraduate students of the centre.
A statement from the public affairs directorate office of the VC said the orientation ceremony took place on Monday, 11th May, 2026, at the Postgraduate College Auditorium, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
Speaking at the occasion, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, stated that the programme run by SPESSCE was very special and must be taken very seriously by the students.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, the Vice-Chancellor also said the programme was very competitive and that the admitted students should count themselves lucky.
Prof Ahmed stressed that the academic journey of the students in ABU through the centre would lead them to a certain certification by World Bank as professionals in their chosen discipline.
According to Ahmed, opportunities in the programme exist almost everywhere for the students being part of the pioneer professionals.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the Management of the centre for choosing the best.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Centre Leader, SPESSCE, Prof Wisdom Japhet, explained that the idea of the centre was conceived to build the capacity of Nigerians in the areas of procurement, environmental and social standards.
Prof Japheth also said there are similar centres at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; University of Lagos; University of Owerri; and University of Benin, covering the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The Centre Leader noted that the Centres of Excellence are driving the SPESSCE programme in collaboration with government agencies.
He further said the World Bank and the National Universities Commission (NUC) carried out needs assessment and found that Nigeria was lacking in those areas.
The ultimate goal of the project, according to him, was to certify students.
Prof Japheth said the project was the first of its kind in Africa, with Nigeria being the test country. He said if it succeeded, it would be replicated in other African countries.
In a goodwill message, the Provost, Postgraduate College, Prof O O Okunbajo, congratulated the students for being admitted into the SPESSCE programme.Prof Okunbajo encouraged the students to explore the numerous facilities in ABU.
In another goodwill message, the Director, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof Bello Mukhtar, advised the students to register their courses appropriately.
Prof Mukhtar enjoined them to take advantage of deferments each time they would not be around for the semester.
There were also talks by the Deputy Centre Leader Procurement Management, Dr Abdullahi Mohammed; Deputy Centre Leader, Environmental Studies, Prof Badruddeen Sani Saulawa; and Deputy Centre Leader, Sustainable Social Development, Prof Hajara Shuaibu.
The event was attended by Deans,Directors and Heads of Department.
