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  • World Bank crowns Niger state best in fund disbursement

    World Bank crowns Niger state best in fund disbursement

    In a significant milestone for Niger State, it has been recognised as the top performer in fund disbursement for the year 2024, surpassing six other states in Nigeria. 

    This accolade comes from the 8th Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) implementation support mission, with the World Bank announcing the rankings on Monday, February 3, in Abuja.

    Under the leadership of the Farmer Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, Niger State not only topped the fund disbursement category but also clinched the award for the “Overall Best in NIRTIMS (2024)” among its peers.

    Amb. Nmaa Ahmed, the Director General of RAAMP in Niger State, highlighted that the award underscores the state’s commitment to enhancing rural infrastructure. 

    “The funding has made a visible impact, with rural roads developed across the three senatorial zones of the state. The governor’s new Niger agenda is particularly focused on agriculture, which has facilitated better access to communities and farmlands,” he stated.

    He further emphasized that last year’s harvest was successfully transported to silos and storage facilities, thanks to the newly constructed rural roads. 

    Recently, Gov Bago approved over 900 million Naira in counterpart funding aimed at enhancing rural roads and market accessibility in the state.

    Read Also: World Bank ranks Kwara Nigeria’s best in RAAMP’s counterpart payment, overall disbursement

    Amb. Nmaa noted that over 300 kilometers of rural roads are currently under construction, alongside essential infrastructure like culverts and drainages. 

    Additionally, more than 70 kilometers of roads have been completed within 18 months.

    The Director General also extended his congratulations to the state’s Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Hon. Phalal Bako Mohammed, as well as the state project coordinator, Ibrahim Dada and all Niger RAAMP staff for their relentless dedication and exemplary service to the state.

    This recognition reinforces Niger State’s commitment to improving rural infrastructure, paving the way for enhanced agricultural productivity and better living conditions for its residents.

  • World Bank ranks Kwara Nigeria’s best in RAAMP’s counterpart payment, overall disbursement

    World Bank ranks Kwara Nigeria’s best in RAAMP’s counterpart payment, overall disbursement

    Kwara has emerged as the best State in counterpart funding payment for the RAAMP.

    The ranking was announced on Monday in Abuja at the 8th RAAMP implementation support mission, which assesses the progress of all the states as part of the preparation for the new year.

    “This is a big win for our state. It shows how committed His Excellency has been to the cause of equitable development. This award is a confirmation of his efforts to develop our state,” Commissioner for Works and Transport Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo said shortly after the award was announced.

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    “At the session, awards across different categories were given, and Kwara won two categories. We won overall best in counterpart funding among the 19 participating states. What this means is that no state paid more counterpart funding to the programme than Kwara amongst the participating states.

    “We also won the award for overall disbursement, which means no state among the 13 states in our category drew more funds than Kwara from the World Bank and French Development Bank. The evidence for this abounds as construction works are ongoing on 209.77km roads across the state.”

  • World Bank and its big stick

    World Bank and its big stick

    • Who colluded with two firms to rob Nigeria’s vulnerable?

    The suspension of two Nigerian firms and their chief executive officer over alleged corruption by the World Bank comes at a time the country is in dire need of economic revitalisation . The two companies, Viva Atlantic and Technology House Limited, together with the Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Norman Didam, were debarred for 30 months for alleged fraud, collusion and corrupt practices linked to Social Safety Nets Projects in Nigeria.

    It is highly disappointing that the poor and vulnerable could be so shortchanged by the companies through very unethical practices during a 2018 procurement and ensuing contract process. Details of the alleged corruption included falsified company experience, submission of fake manufacturers’ authorisation letters and inducements to project officials.

     The bank views the actions as undermining the integrity of the social safety net initiative designed to benefit Nigeria’s most vulnerable.

    Nothing can be more embarrassing to Nigeria than being punished by the global apex bank, for misdemeanor of this magnitude. Nigeria already has huge image problems generated by social misdemeanors like militancy, insurgency, etc.

    Read Also: Alleged N110.4b fraud: Prosecution opens case, calls first witness in Yahaya Bello, others’ trial

    And the Nigerian officials who colluded with them to defraud the country: who are they and what would be their punishment? Why was it very easy for the companies and CEO to get willing allies in those alleged to have been induced? Individuals and companies doing business in or with Nigerians can only treat the people the way the indigenes treat their citizens. They must have done a good work of understanding the lack of care for Nigeria’s most vulnerable and taken a cue.

    Issues of this magnitude fester because the system seems to lack accountability. The reward and punishment system seems non-existent and there seems to be room for impunity across board. This scandal must not be left for the World Bank to clean up. There must be thorough investigations, starting from how the companies were registered and those that didn’t do due diligence, that ought to have prevented the mess under review. The way each country takes law and order often defines the socio-economic choices people make. All those involved in the scandal must be named and shamed and duly prosecuted as a deterrent to future offenders.

     The attitude of Nigerian leaders at all levels must change in ways that dignify human lives. The situation of the more than 137 million people living in multi-dimensional poverty must be reversed through systemic change. This issue must be a wake-up call to the governments to tighten the noose on officials in the private and public sectors of the economy.

     The world is waiting to see how Nigeria would handle this scandal.

  • Nigeria eyes $15b private investors cash for power sector

    Nigeria eyes $15b private investors cash for power sector

    Nigeria is taking bold steps to revive its faltering power sector, aiming to attract $15 billion in private investments while keeping its most vulnerable citizens in mind.

    At a World Bank energy summit in Tanzania, the government outlined a plan that combines higher electricity tariffs with fresh subsidies to ease the burden on households.

    Under the proposal, households will receive 50 kilowatt hours of subsidized electricity monthly, either through direct consumption or vouchers. This is part of a broader effort to address a massive $23 billion funding gap in the power sector and bring electricity to the 86 million Nigerians still living in the dark.

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    Despite being Africa’s top natural gas producer with abundant hydro and solar resources, Nigeria generates a paltry 13,000 megawatts of electricity for over 200 million people. For comparison, South Africa, with just 62 million people, produces 52,000 megawatts. Frequent blackouts and widespread reliance on private generators have become the norm for Nigerians who can afford them.

    The government’s pitch includes plans to double the number of households connected to the grid annually and boost renewable energy from 22per cent to 50per cent of the generation mix within five years. While the nation removed subsidies for about 15per cent of urban households last year, tripling tariffs, it still spent N2.2 trillion on subsidies. The new plan aims to implement full-cost tariffs by 2027 while providing a buffer for vulnerable households.

    The country’s power sector ambitions are similar to its recent oil sector recovery, where a combination of strategic planning, good fortune, and bold leadership brought production back from near collapse. With a renewed focus and an investor-friendly pitch, the nation is looking to spark a similar turnaround in its power sector.

  • World Bank, Yobe govt. disburse $2.5m to 101 communities

    World Bank, Yobe govt. disburse $2.5m to 101 communities

    World Bank-financed project, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) and Yobe State Government have disbursed $2.525million as revolving fund to 101 communities in the state to boost agricultural development.

    Governor Mai Mala Buni made this known during the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries in Damaturu at the weekend.

    Buni said the fund was aimed at driving growth, improving livelihood, and promoting sustainable development among communities and farmer groups.

    “This occasion is another milestone achieved by the state government, by supporting 101 communities with a Community Revolving Fund (CRF) loan of two million, five hundred and twenty-five thousand US Dollars ($2,525,000),” he said.

    The governor said 4,825 out of the total 7,340 slots had been allocated to youths, to ensure their maximum engagement and benefit from the programme.

    He urged the beneficiaries to take full ownership of the programme, and repay the loan promptly, to ensure its sustainability.

    ACReSAL National Coordinator, Mr Abdul Umar, commended the state government for providing an enabling environment for the project to thrive in the state.

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    Umar said the people of Yobe had not only accepted the project, but also had a complete understanding and had keyed into the project.

    He also identified ACReSAL staff strength, dedication, and team spirit as another factor for the success of the project in the state.

    Earlier, ACReSAL Project Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Shehu Mohammed, said the revolving fund was not a grant, but an investment loan, aimed at revitalising agricultural practices.

    Mohammed said that Yobe was among eight pilot states selected by the World Bank, for the implementation of the Community Revolving Fund scheme.

  • Ogun PHCs to be revitalised

    Ogun PHCs to be revitalised

    Ogun State Government and the World Bank IMPACT Project have held a mobilisation training and briefing with successful contractors for the Revitalisation Project of 75 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) across the state to strengthen  healthcare service delivery.

    Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board (OGSPHCDB), Dr Elijah Ogunsola, said the milestone event marked the official kick-off of the project aimed at transforming the state’s primary healthcare infrastructure.

    He said the  meeting serves as a platform for bringing together, stakeholders and contractors to familiarise themselves with the project’s objectives, scope, and timelines towards a common goal of delivering top-notch healthcare services to the people.

     “The successful execution of the PHC Revitalisation Project is expected to have a profound impact on the state’s healthcare landscape. By renovating and equipping primary healthcare centres, the government aims to increase access to quality healthcare services, particularly for rural and underserved communities, which will contribute to improved health outcomes, reduced morbidity and mortality rates, and enhanced overall well-being,” Ogunsola said.

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     He said that the project’s focus on revitalising primary healthcare centres, aligns with the Governor Dapo Abiodun’s goal of ensuring the welfare, wellness, and well-being of citizens particularly ìn rural areas.

     World Bank Consultant on Impact Project, Arc. Bolaji Anjorin stated that the contractors were selected through a rigorous process in the area of documentation and budget, adding that the training would bring all stakeholders on the same page.

     He  stated that the monitoring team which would comprise World Bank representatives, state Impact teams, contractors and other monitoring officers who would work  towards ensuring proper monitoring of the project.

  • Nigeria’s GDP to grow by 3.6% in 2025, says World Bank

    Nigeria’s GDP to grow by 3.6% in 2025, says World Bank

    The World Bank expects Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to hit an average of 3.6 percent a year in 2025-2026.

    The bank , in its latest Global Economic Prospects report for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), said its projection will be  .3 percent over the 3.3 per cent recorded in 2024.

    It credited the 2024 GDP growth mainly  to financial and telecommunication services.

    Macroeconomic and fiscal reforms,according to the WB, helped to improve business confidence,saying: “ In response to rising inflation and a weak naira, the central bank tightened monetary policy.”

    It added: “Meanwhile, the fiscal deficit narrowed due to a surge in revenues driven by the elimination of the implicit foreign exchange subsidy, following the unification of the exchange rate and improved revenue administration.”

    The bank also expects inflation to gradually decline, leading to an improvement in  consumption and support growth in the services sector, the main driver of growth.

    It based its projection on  the  monetary policy tightening of last year.

    Although ,it projects oil production to increase , it says Nigeria may still fall short of meeting its OPEC quota.

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    The report expects an average of 4.2 percent in 2025-2026 growth  in 2025-26 up from an estimated 3.2 percent in 2024.

    It was 2.9 percent in 2023.

    It says the expected grown is driven primarily by improvements in the outlook for industrial-commodity-exporting countries, including the region’s largest economies.

    Nigeria and South Africa are the largest economies in the region.

    Its words: “However, high government debt and elevated interest rates have narrowed fiscal space, prompting fiscal consolidation efforts in many countries, while financing needs remain high. Despite the projected pickup in growth, per capita income gains will remain inadequate to make significant progress in reducing extreme poverty in the region. Risks to the outlook remain tilted to the downside. These risks include weaker global growth due to heightened uncertainty and the potential for adverse changes in trade policies; a sharper-than-expected slowdown in China; increased regional or global instability, such as an escalation of conflicts in Sudan and in the Middle East, which could drive up energy and food price inflation in the region; increased risk of government distress amid a possibility of higher-for-longer global interest rates; and greater frequency and intensity of adverse weather events.”

  • Ogun partners World Bank to revitalise 75 PHCs

    Ogun partners World Bank to revitalise 75 PHCs

    The Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank IMPACT Project, has taken a significant step towards revitalising the state’s primary healthcare system. This follows the successful mobilisation training and briefing programme held for contractors selected to spearhead the revitalisation of 75 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Ogun. The initiative is set to enhance the delivery of healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved communities, and will have a lasting impact on the state’s overall healthcare infrastructure.

    The programme, which took place in Abeokuta, the state capital, was officially launched by the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board (OGSPHCDB), Dr. Elijah Ogunsola. He expressed excitement about the milestone, calling it a pivotal moment for the state’s healthcare sector. The event brought together key stakeholders and contractors, setting the stage for a united effort to improve the state’s primary healthcare facilities. According to Dr. Ogunsola, the meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the project’s objectives, scope, and timelines. This collaboration aims to ensure that all parties involved are aligned and committed to the common goal of delivering top-quality healthcare services to the people of Ogun State. He emphasised that the successful execution of the PHC Revitalisation Project will play a crucial role in transforming the state’s healthcare landscape, particularly by improving healthcare access for communities in rural and underserved areas.

    “The revitalisation of these healthcare centres is poised to significantly increase access to quality health services, reduce morbidity and mortality rates, and improve the overall well-being of the state’s citizens,” Dr. Ogunsola said. He further explained that the project would involve the renovation and equipping of existing healthcare centres, which is critical for meeting the growing healthcare needs of the population.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to enhancing healthcare in Ogun was also underscored during the event. Dr. Ogunsola noted that this initiative aligns perfectly with the Governor’s broader vision of ensuring accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services for all residents, particularly in rural areas. This, he said, reflects the governor’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare system and enhance the welfare of its people.

    In a speech at the event, the World Bank Consultant for the IMPACT Project, Arch. Bolaji Anjorin, praised the thorough selection process of the contractors. He highlighted that the contractors were chosen based on rigorous criteria that included their experience in documentation, budgeting, and project execution. Anjorin stressed the importance of the mobilisation training, explaining that it would ensure all stakeholders are well-informed and united in their efforts. He further noted that a comprehensive monitoring team would be set up, consisting of World Bank representatives, state impact teams, contractors, and other key officers. This team will closely oversee the project’s implementation to ensure its success and long-term impact. “The PHC Revitalisation Project is a transformative initiative that will significantly improve the state’s primary healthcare infrastructure,” Anjorin said. “By working together with the Ogun State Government and the contractors, we are confident that this project will bring about a positive and lasting change in healthcare delivery, benefiting all residents of the state.”

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    The contractors who have been selected to carry out the project were equally enthusiastic about the opportunity. Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mrs. Delia Omatshola of Peculiar Peoples Management expressed her gratitude to both the Ogun State Government and the World Bank IMPACT Project for the trust placed in them. She assured the audience that the contractors would deliver facilities that meet the highest standards of quality, contributing to the revitalisation of the healthcare centres across the state. As the project moves forward, stakeholders are of the strong belief that the revitalisation of Ogun’s primary healthcare centres is expected to have a far-reaching impact, not only by improving healthcare access but also by reducing the strain on more advanced healthcare facilities. With the combined efforts of the Ogun State Government, the World Bank, and the dedicated contractors, stakeholders promise that the people of Ogun State are poised to benefit from a stronger, more accessible healthcare system that will enhance the health and well-being of future generations.

  • World Bank: 700m people live in extreme poverty

    World Bank: 700m people live in extreme poverty

    About 700 million people—or 8.5 percent of the global population—live in extreme poverty on less than $2.15 a day, a World Bank report has said.

    The bank also added that around 3.5 billion people live on less than $6.85 a day.

    In a report,” 2024 Key Development Challenges in Nine Charts, How the World Is Off-Track to Reduce Poverty”, the bank noted that the poverty line was more relevant for middle-income countries, which are home to three-quarters of the world’s population.

    Without drastic action, the bank warned that it could take decades to eradicate extreme poverty.

    As at this year, the bank maintained that over one-third of people in countries eligible for support from its International Development Association (IDA), and more than half of those in Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing multidimensional poverty, highlighting how persistent development challenges remain.

    Earlier this month, it continued that IDA, which offers concessional lending to 78 low-income countries, raised $23.7 billion to boost development for these countries for 2025-28.

    IDA is  expected to generate $100 billion in affordable financing to help countries spur job growth, deliver better quality health care, improve education, expand electricity access, enhance food security and nutrition, and much more.    

    The COVID-19 pandemic, it highlighted, sharply increased the debt burdens of all developing countries—and the subsequent surge in global interest rates has made it harder for many to regain their footing.

    At the end of last year, the bank noted that the total external debt owed by low- and middle-income countries stood at a record $8.8 trillion, an 8 percent increase from 2020.

    Read Also: REA outlines plan for $750m World Bank loan implementation

     Interest payments for developing countries surged by nearly a third to $406 billion, leaving countries with less funds to invest in critical areas such as health, education, and the environment. 

    Since 2022, the World Bank and other multilateral institutions have invested nearly $51 billion to help tackle the growing debt crisis in IDA-eligible economies.

    According to it, estimates from 103 countries, which make up 86 percent of the global population, show that 1.2 billion people are exposed to at least one climate-related hazard and are highly vulnerable in at least one dimension in 2021.

    Out of the 1.2 billion people that faced climate-related hazards and high vulnerability, the report revealed that South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa were among the most affected regions.

    In Sub-Saharan Africa, it indicated that around 40 percent of the population is exposed to climate shocks, and almost all of the population is considered at high risk.

    This year, it posited that the World Bank Group delivered a record $43 billion in climate finance and are channeling 45 percent of its annual financing to climate action by 2025.

  • REA outlines plan for $750m World Bank loan implementation

    REA outlines plan for $750m World Bank loan implementation

    The federal government on Wednesday, December 18, revealed its plan for the implementation of the $750 billion World Bank loan for the development of renewable energy.

    The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is championing the development of renewable energy to boost supply to education, health, agriculture, rural communities, and transportation sectors.

    With about 80 million Nigerians estimated to be without electricity supply, the government said the e-HEART project aims to deploy mini-grids to solve the energy access problems in rural communities, thereby creating sustainable economies and reducing rural-urban drift in Nigeria.

    The government, as part of this strategy, has also earmarked another $700 million from the African Development Bank to fund the “desert to power” project, which seeks to harness the abundant sunlight in the northern region of the country to generate renewable energy for communities.

    According to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, at a stakeholder engagement workshop organized by REA in Abuja, off-grid electricity supply has become a key component of the government’s plan to bridge the electricity supply gap.

    Represented by the Director of Renewable and Rural Power Access, Dr. Sunday Owolabi expressed optimism that the various projects in the renewable energy sector would impact at least 13 million Nigerians.

    He said: “At the recent Federal Executive Council (FEC), His Excellency approved €161 million worth of contracts for the upgrade of power substations under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). I am happy to assure you that we are on course to deliver an additional 150MW to the grid while impacting 14 existing substations and establishing 21 new ones.

    “The team at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have also been hard at work as we approach the kick-off of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, which I believe many of you must have heard about. Our partners at the World Bank have committed $750 million to this groundbreaking project and we are certain that over 13 million Nigerians will be impacted through the DARES”.

    Also speaking, the Managing Director/CEO, REA, Engr. Abba Aliyu noted that the Rural Electrification Fund has deployed 124 mini-grids and 25,580 solar home systems with a combined capacity of 16.6MW.

    He disclosed that 195,198 connections have been made with 183 communities and 12 markets among the beneficiaries.

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    Aliyu said the project would provide uninterrupted power supply to 3,700 primary healthcare centres, 25 schools per state and FCT, 25 communities in each state and FCT, and solar-powered tricycles and charging stations across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    “I want to state that there was never a time in this country that the renewable energy sector has received the level of attention and support that we are getting from this government. The first act the President signed when he assumed office is the Electricity Act and this is the reason why we are here. It is the basis why all the commissioners from the states are here and it is the reason why we have much more opportunities for states and local governments to get involved in the electricity sector”, he stated.

    He urged the sub-national governments and private sector to key into the several programmes of the Federal Government to ensure the provision of sustainable and quality power supply to the citizenry.