The World Bank has approved three financing operations worth $1.57 billion to support Nigeria’s Federal Government in strengthening human capital development and building resilience to the effects of climate change.
The initiatives will enhance health services for women, children, and adolescents, and bolster the country’s resilience to climate-related challenges such as floods and droughts by improving dam safety and irrigation infrastructure.
The approved financing includes $500 million for the HOPE-GOV (Health and Education Governance) Program, $570 million for the HOPE-PHC (Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening) Program, and $500 million for the SPIN (Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria) Project.
The HOPE-GOV and HOPE-PHC programs will support the Federal Government in addressing governance challenges and improving service delivery in basic education and primary healthcare—key sectors critical to human capital development. The SPIN project will focus on improving the safety of dams and the management of water resources for hydropower and irrigation.
The HOPE-GOV Program is aimed at addressing governance weaknesses in education and healthcare. It will focus on enhancing financial and human resource management, improving financing for basic education and healthcare, and promoting transparency in service delivery. The program will also enhance the recruitment and performance management of teachers and healthcare workers at all levels of government.
The HOPE-PHC Program is designed to improve access to and the quality of maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services, with the goal of reducing maternal and under-five mortality rates.
The program, which is expected to benefit 40 million people, especially vulnerable populations, is funded by a $500 million International Development Association (IDA) credit, alongside a $70 million grant from the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents (GFF).
The SPIN Project will help Nigeria protect its citizens from climate-related disasters by enhancing dam safety and operations. The initiative will also provide improved irrigation and drainage services across 40,000 hectares of land, directly benefiting 950,000 people, including farmers and livestock breeders.
Additionally, the project will support the development of a hydropower master plan and a public-private partnership framework for future hydropower projects.
Dr. Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, emphasized the importance of investing in human capital to drive future economic opportunities.
“This new financing will address the complex difficulties faced by Nigerians, especially women and girls, around access and quality of services,” Diop said.
He also highlighted the significance of the SPIN project in protecting Nigerians from floods and droughts while supporting hydropower generation and agricultural productivity.
The World Bank’s collaboration with Nigeria aims to improve the lives and livelihoods of millions, particularly the most vulnerable, through targeted investments in education, healthcare, and climate resilience.