Nigeria to Sign $500M Loan for HOPE Governance Programme

The Federal Government of Nigeria is moving to sign a subsidiary loan agreement with all 36 states to enable participation in the $500 million World Bank-assisted HOPE Governance Programme. This initiative, disclosed by Dr.

Deborah Odoh, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, aims to enhance service delivery in basic education and primary healthcare at the subnational level. The collaboration involves efforts from the Federal Ministry of Finance, with Sen.

Abubakar Atiku Bagudu emphasizing the urgency of the agreement due to time constraints. Joe Mutah, another Permanent Secretary, expressed commitment to providing necessary institutional support to ensure the programme delivers significant impacts across the country.

The World Bank's task team leader, Ikechukwu John Nweje, urged the Permanent Secretary to engage state governments to expedite the signing of the agreement, which is crucial for accessing funds linked to performance results. The HOPE Governance Programme is designed to address challenges in the education and healthcare sectors, which have been identified as priorities for unlocking effective service delivery.