Sustainable Social Development

With a population of over two hundred million, Nigeria is the most populous country in Sub Saharan Africa and the most populous black nation in the world. This rapid increase in population has no doubt exerted pressure on the nation’ s finite natural resources through urbanization and unsustainable agricultural practices which are the leading causes of environmental degradation. The country has in the recent times witness significant infrastructural expansion such as in roads, rails, electricity etc. which could adversely affect the environment if certain minimum environmental standards are not adhered to.

A study conducted by the World Bank in collaboration with the National University Commission has identified skill gaps in environmental practitioners in the industries and also in the current Curriculum in the Nation’s tertiary institutions. The Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Center for Excellence (SPESSE-CE) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was established as part of the broader objective of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank supported Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project, to produce high caliber environmental specialist. The Environmental Standards Cluster of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria SPESSE-CE) has a range of trainings tailored to serve the needs of diverse participants. The trainings are organized into five tracks as follows:

Track A are short executive courses in Social Standards of 3-4 days duration. It is primarily targeted at existing workforce in public or private sector. It is also targeted at individuals who might not be working but are interested in developing a career as social development specialist.

Track B course is primarily targeted at school levers who may want to take a career as social development professionals. It is a nine-month course leading to the award of an Advance Certificate in Social Development.

Track C is postgraduate diploma in Sustainable Social Development. It is primarily targeted at graduates in other fields, and will qualify them to enroll for the Master’s degree in Sustainable Social Development programme.

Track D is a two years course leading to the award of Master’s degree in Sustainable Social Development.

Track E is a five years course leading to the award of Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Social Development.

All courses will be delivered through face to face class interactions or virtually depending on convenience. In addition, all tracks are taught by experienced resource persons both from Nigeria and abroad. Even more, all tracks are delivered in a siren environment with state-of-the-art facilities.

If you are looking to start a career as an environmental specialist or deepen your understanding of environmental issues, then the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Center for Excellence, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is where you should be.

We look forward to seeing you

Professor Hajara Shuaibu
Deputy Centre Leader (Sustainable Social Development)