The Sustainable Procurement Environment and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project is an initiative of the World Bank and Federal Government of Nigeria. The objective of the project is to develop sustainable capacity in managing procurement, environmental, and social standards across both the public and private sectors of the country.
Historically, successive Nigerian governments have demonstrated significant commitment to improving procurement practices and combating corruption. A major milestone in institutionalizing procurement governance was achieved during the Obasanjo administration. Key initiatives by that administration include the creation of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the enactment of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) of 2007.
To further strengthen procurement practice and address the issue of corruption in public service, the Obasanjo administration also established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau.
International organizations and donor agencies, notably the World Bank, have played a critical role in aligning Nigeria’s procurement practices with global standards. With the support of the World Bank, Nigeria has implemented various public procurement reforms, guided by comprehensive studies such as the Country Procurement Assessment Report (CPAR, 2000), the Public Expenditure Management and Financial Accountability Review (PEMFAR, 2012), and the Nigerian Procurement Value Chain Analysis (NPVCA, 2013). These studies identified significant weaknesses in public procurement, primarily due to inadequate professionalization and skills shortages, which led to slow capital budget implementation.
At both federal and state levels, various procurement laws have been enacted, regulatory agencies established, and numerous procurement tools and training programs developed. Despite these advancements, a major challenge remains: the lack of professionalization within the procurement sector. This issue stems from inadequate skills and the absence of a structured capacity development strategy, resulting in ineffective ad hoc training and a lack of a certification program. Civil servants are often transferred to procurement roles with minimal training, highlighting the need for comprehensive and long-term capacity building.
Key governmental actions include the initial efforts to recruit professionals into the civil service procurement cadre in 2005, the signing of the PPA into law in 2007 and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) Act in 2007. In 2008, the Federal Government took a further step by calling for the conversion of staff from various disciplines to form the procurement cadre within the civil service.