The Institute of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards, IPESS, a World Bank-supported Centre of Excellence under the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards framework, has launched a 3-day capacity building training in Nasarawa State to strengthen professional expertise in public procurement, environmental management, and social safeguards. The training, held from 7th –9th July 2026 at Tazu Luxury Suites, Lafia – Akwanga Road, Lafia, and starting 8:00a.m. daily, brought together government officials, project implementers, consultants, and private sector actors. Organizers said the program is aimed at equipping participants with practical tools and global best practices required to deliver transparent, sustainable, and compliant development projects in line with World Bank standards.
The capacity building training in Lafia under the management ofProf. Lami A. Nnamonu, Center Leader and Director of IPESS. He is supporting by three Deputy Center Leaders: Prof. Rufus Sha’ato for Environmental Standards, Prof. Simeon Kpalai for Procurement Standards, and Prof. Adolphus A. Nanswem for Social Standards. At the state level, coordination is handling by Prof. Emmanuel S. Dandaura, State Coordinator, with Prof. Emmanuel S. Salau as Deputy State Coordinator. Facilitators included Dr. Salamatu A. Ekpo and Mr. Angbashim Yahuda Ishaku, Retired Director of Climate Change, who delivered technical sessions on environmental safeguards in line with World Bank standards.
IPESS State coordinator addressing during training IPESSDeputy State coordinator talks about aim of the training
Organizer said the mix of academic leaders, policy experts, and seasoned practitioners was designed to ensure participants received both theoretical knowledge and practical experience relevant to World Bank-funded projects.
IPESS operates as a World Bank-supported Centre of Excellence with the mandate to promote sustainable procurement and strengthen environmental and social safeguards across development projects in Nigeria. The capacity building training held in Lafia, Nasarawa State focuses on three key areas: sustainable procurement principles including transparency and value-for-money; environmental standards covering impact assessment, mitigation, and climate-resilient design; and social standards such as labor management, community engagement, gender inclusion, and protection of vulnerable groups in line with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework.
The program targets procurement officers, environmental and social specialists, civil servants, contractors, and NGOs involved in donor-funded projects. According to IPESS, the objective is to address knowledge gaps that contribute to project delays and non-compliance, and to produce a pool of certified professionals who can implement procurement and safeguard processes that reduce risk, promote sustainability, and improve development outcomes nationwide. Furthermore, aimed at equipping participants with practical tools and global best practices required to deliver transparent, sustainable, and compliant development projects. Organizers said the training reflects IPESS’s commitment to building national capacity and ensuring that projects financed by the World Bank and other development partners meet international standards for accountability and results.
A facilitator at environmental standard, Dr. Salamatu A. Ekpo, has called for stronger disaster management measures in the implementation of environmental and social standards on donor-funded projects. Speaking during a technical session on Environmental Standards; elaborated on the growing need to integrate disaster risk reduction into project planning and execution. She explained that poor environmental management and weak social safeguards often expose communities to floods, erosion, pollution, and displacement. According to her, the impact of neglecting these standards includes loss of livelihoods, damage to infrastructure, health hazards, and project delays. She added that the consequences extend to reputational risks for implementing agencies and possible suspension of funding by development partners like the World Bank. Dr. Ekpo urged participants to adopt proactive approaches such as Environmental Impact Assessment, community engagement, and emergency preparedness plans to minimize risks and ensure projects deliver sustainable benefits.
Beyond the capacity building trainings, the Institute of Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards, IPESS, offers a range of academic programmes aimed at building long-term expertise in procurement, environmental management, and social safeguards. These include Postgraduate Diploma programmes in Procurement Management, Environmental Management, and Social Development; professional certification courses such as Certified Procurement Professional and Certified Environmental and Social Safeguards Practitioner; and Master’s degree programmes in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental Policy and Management, and Social Impact Assessment. IPESS also runs executive short courses on areas like Contract Management, Environmental Impact Assessment, Resettlement Action Planning, Gender and Social Inclusion, and Climate Change Adaptation, as well as research and consultancy services to support government agencies and organizations implementing World Bank and other donor-funded projects.
The capacity building training signals a stronger push by IPESS to entrench compliance with World Bank procurement and safeguard policies at state and project levels. By equipping officials, consultants, and private sector actors with updated knowledge on sustainable procurement, environmental impact management, and social inclusion, the program is expected to reduce delays, minimize fiduciary risks, and improve the quality-of-service delivery in donor-funded projects. Stakeholders noted that building this pool of certified professionals in Nasarawa State will enhance transparency, promote climate-resilient project design, and ensure vulnerable communities are adequately protected during project implementation.
Organizer concluded that training marks a key step toward strengthening institutional capacity for sustainable development. With leadership from Prof. Lami A. Nnamonu and technical support from facilitators and deputy directors, IPESS reaffirmed its commitment to producing professionals who can deliver projects that meet international standards. The Institute said similar trainings will continue across other states to ensure Nigeria’s development agenda aligns with global best practices on procurement, environmental, and social standards.
