World Bank to Release $27 Million to 20 Nigerian States Under HOPE Programme

Twenty Nigerian states will receive a total of $27 million under the World Bank-backed HOPE Governance Programme.

The money will go to states that met agreed reform targets in basic education, primary healthcare and public finance.

The National Coordinator of the programme, Dr. Assad Hassan, announced the disbursement in Abuja during a retreat for Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Budget and Planning.

The HOPE Governance Programme means Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity. It is a $500 million initiative under the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The programme aims to improve how states fund basic education and primary healthcare. It also pushes states to make their budgets more transparent.

Why The Funding Matters

The funding comes at a time when Nigeria’s education and healthcare systems face serious pressure.

Many public schools still lack basic infrastructure. Many primary healthcare centres also struggle with poor funding, weak planning and limited public trust.

The HOPE programme tries to solve part of this problem through performance-based funding.

This means states must show proof of reform before they receive money. They do not get grants simply because they joined the programme.

How The States Qualified

The $27 million grant comes from the programme’s Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Results.

These results are reform targets that states must meet before they qualify for payment.

The targets include better planning for basic education and primary healthcare. They also include harmonised local government budget guidelines and public access to citizens’ budgets.

An Interim Independent Verification Agent reviewed the performance of the states. The programme then approved funds for states that met the requirements.

States Receiving $1.5 Million For Education Planning

Bayelsa, Borno, Kano, Kebbi and Yobe each qualified for $1.5 million under the education planning target.

These states adopted guidelines for preparing and submitting consolidated work plans for basic education.

This target matters because many states struggle to plan education spending properly. Poor planning often leads to weak execution, abandoned projects and poor learning outcomes.

States Receiving $1.5 Million For Healthcare Planning

The same five states also qualified for another $1.5 million each under the healthcare planning target.

Bayelsa, Borno, Kano, Kebbi and Yobe met the requirements for consolidated primary healthcare work plans.

This target focuses on how states plan spending for primary healthcare. It also aims to help states improve service delivery at the community level.

Primary healthcare remains the first point of care for many Nigerians. Better planning can improve immunisation, maternal care and disease prevention.

States Receiving $500,000 For Local Government Budget Reform

Nine states qualified for $500,000 each under the local government budget reform target.

The states are Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Kano, Plateau, Taraba and Yobe.

They met the requirement on harmonised local government budget guidelines and a standard chart of accounts.

This reform matters because local governments handle many frontline services. These include basic education, health centres, water, sanitation and community projects.

A standard budget system can reduce confusion. It can also make spending easier to track.

States Receiving $500,000 For Citizens’ Budgets

Fifteen states also qualified for $500,000 each after publishing their 2025 Citizens’ Budgets for basic education and primary healthcare.

The states are Abia, Bayelsa, Borno, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau and Yobe.

A citizens’ budget explains government spending in simple language. It helps residents understand how public money will support schools, hospitals and other basic services.

This step improves transparency. It also gives citizens a stronger basis to ask questions.

Why Some States Missed Out

Not every participating state qualified for the grant.

According to Dr. Hassan, some states failed to meet the required conditions. Others missed submission deadlines. Some also failed to publish the needed documents on their official websites.

This shows the strict nature of the programme.

The funding model rewards states that act early, document their reforms and make information public.

Bigger Picture

The Federal Government and the World Bank began implementing the HOPE Governance Programme in December 2025.

Out of the $500 million financing, $480 million will go to performance-based grants for states. The remaining $20 million will support technical assistance, institutional strengthening and implementation.

The programme involves several key institutions. They include state governments, the Universal Basic Education Commission, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The World Bank approved the programme in September 2024. Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council approved the financing agreement in February 2025.

Expert View

The HOPE Governance Programme sends a clear message to state governments: reform must come before reward.

This approach can improve discipline in public finance. It also gives states a reason to publish budgets, plan better and track spending more closely.

However, the real test will not end with disbursement.

States must show that the money improves schools and health centres. Nigerians will want to see better classrooms, stronger primary healthcare services and clearer public records.

Performance-based funding can push reform. But it only works when citizens, civil society groups and lawmakers monitor how states use the funds.

The programme should not become another grant cycle with little impact. It must lead to visible change in education and healthcare.

What This Means For Nigerians

For citizens, the HOPE programme could improve access to basic services if states use the funds well.

For state governments, it raises the standard for public finance. It tells them that transparency, planning and timely reporting now carry financial value.

For Nigeria’s development partners, it offers a model that links funding to proof of action.

The next phase will matter more than this first payment. States must now turn the grants into real service delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HOPE Governance Programme?

The HOPE Governance Programme is a $500 million World Bank-backed initiative in Nigeria. It supports reforms in basic education, primary healthcare and public financial management.

How much will the 20 states receive?

The 20 states will receive a combined $27 million in performance-based grants.

Why are the states getting the money?

They met reform targets under the programme’s Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Results. These targets cover planning, budgeting, transparency and citizens’ budget publication.

Which sectors will the programme support?

The programme focuses on basic education and primary healthcare. It also supports public finance reforms linked to those sectors.

Why did some states fail to qualify?

Some states failed to meet the requirements. Others missed deadlines or did not publish the required documents on their official websites.

What is a citizens’ budget?

A citizens’ budget explains government spending in simple language. It helps ordinary people understand how public money will be used.

Will this improve schools and hospitals?

It can help, but only if states use the money properly. The programme rewards reform, but citizens must still monitor implementation.