Nigeria Launches First Certified Social Standards Professionals

Nigeria has taken a major step toward strengthening social risk management with the certification of its first cohort of Social Standards Professionals and the induction of a 21-member advisory board under the Nigerian Social Standards Professional Certification Programme (NSSPCP).

The certification follows a rigorous assessment process that began in mid-2025 and was concluded after a three-day review meeting in Abuja. The programme aligns with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework and other internationally recognised standards, positioning Nigeria to deliver professional, credible and globally compliant social risk management services.

Speaking at the close of the meeting, Dr Tosin Oso, a World Bank consultant, described the development as a landmark for Nigeria’s development ecosystem. He said the establishment of a functional certification board provides the institutional backbone needed to sustain and scale the profession. According to him, the board has also approved improvements to the programme’s application, examination and review processes to strengthen transparency, efficiency and credibility. The initiative, valued at about $80 million, supports training, document development and capacity building, and has already trained nearly 30,000 students under its Track A component, which will run until 2029.

Social standards, experts say, is a relatively new but critical profession in Nigeria’s development space. Prof. James Ayangunna of the University of Ibadan, a member of the NSSPCP Oversight Board, explained that the programme operates with the approval of the National Universities Commission and is anchored by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with the World Bank and partner ministries. Six centres of excellence have been established across the country to train professionals, ensuring nationwide coverage and inclusivity.

These centres are located at the University of Benin, University of Lagos, Tafawa Balewa University, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology Owerri, and Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. Graduates are trained as multidisciplinary generalists equipped to manage social risks and grievances arising from sectors such as road construction, housing, land administration, health and other social development projects.

Providing further insight, Mr Okwesa Benjamin, Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Project Coordinator of the Social Standards Node of the SPESSE Project, said the certification programme was designed to close long-standing capacity gaps in the social sector. He disclosed that 1,026 candidates have now been certified and presented to the board for approval and licensing after completing training and competency requirements at the centres of excellence. He added that discussions are ongoing with the Office of the Head of Service to facilitate the absorption of certified professionals into government institutions.

With the advisory board now in place and the first cohort licensed to practise, the programme is expected to accelerate the professionalisation of social standards practice in Nigeria, improve project outcomes, and strengthen social safeguards across public and private sector development initiatives.