ABUJA, Dec 24 (AGCNewsNet) – The Federal Government and the World Bank have commenced implementation of a $500 million Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity–Governance (HOPE-GOV) programme aimed at improving financial and human resource management in basic education and primary healthcare across Nigeria.

The launch was confirmed on Tuesday in Abuja by the HOPE-GOV National Coordinator, Assad Hassan, during a briefing with the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Deborah Odoh.

HOPE-GOV is a results-based initiative designed to link funding to measurable improvements in education and health service delivery, particularly at the sub-national level. The programme seeks to strengthen accountability, budget transparency, and service outcomes in the two critical sectors.

Hassan explained that the World Bank–assisted facility is structured around two components: a Programme-for-Results (PforR) window and an Investment Project Financing (IPF) component.

Under the arrangement, $480 million has been allocated to incentivise states to meet disbursement-linked targets in basic education and primary healthcare, while $20 million will support programme coordination, monitoring, verification, and technical assistance.

“In terms of programme financing and scope, it’s a World Bank-assisted credit of $500 million, split into two components. The Programme-for-Results component focuses on incentivising states to achieve agreed disbursement-linked results, while the Investment Project Financing component supports coordination and implementation,” Hassan said.

He noted that key implementing institutions include state governments, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Ministerial Oversight Committee of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Nigeria continues to face significant human capital challenges, including one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally and poorly equipped primary healthcare centres in many states. Programme officials say these issues are compounded by weak public financial management systems at the sub-national level, characterised by poor budgeting, delayed audits, and weak reporting structures.

Despite existing statutory funding mechanisms such as the Universal Basic Education Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, many states have struggled to access available resources due to counterpart funding gaps and weak planning capacity.

According to Hassan, HOPE-GOV aims to drive increased funding for education and primary healthcare, improve budget credibility and transparency, and strengthen the recruitment and retention of frontline workers. Participating states are required to make upfront investments to meet agreed indicators before accessing performance-based incentives, creating what officials describe as a cycle of reform and reinvestment.

Providing further context, Hassan said the World Bank approved the HOPE-GOV programme on September 26, 2024, following the negotiation of the financing agreement in August 2024. The Federal Executive Council approved the agreement in February 2025, it was countersigned in April 2025, and declared effective in September 2025.

Earlier this year, the World Bank also pledged $1.2 billion for girls’ education in 18 Nigerian states, targeting improved access to secondary education and empowerment of adolescent girls. The beneficiary states include Borno, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

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