World Bank-backed governance programme approves $27m incentive for 19 performing states
The World Bank-supported HOPE Governance Program, domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, is set to disburse $27 million as performance-based incentives to 19 states that met key governance and public financial management reforms aimed at improving basic education and primary healthcare services.
The World Bank-supported HOPE Governance Program, domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, is set to disburse $27 million as performance-based incentives to 19 states that met key governance and public financial management reforms aimed at improving basic education and primary healthcare services.
Assad Hassan, National Coordinator of the HOPE Governance Program, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a retreat for Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and Directors of Budget and Planning in the 36 states and the FCT. He said the approved disbursement followed an interim independent verification of states’ performance in achieving the programme’s Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Results (DLRs).
He explained that the disbursement is based on the findings and recommendations of the Interim Independent Verification Agent (IVA), which assessed the performance of states in meeting the Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs).
The HOPE Governance Program is a $500 million World Bank-supported initiative aimed at increasing the availability and effectiveness of financing for Basic Education and Primary Health Care delivery; engendering transparency and accountability in financing the two sectors and improving recruitment, deployment, and performance management of Basic Education teachers and primary healthcare workers by federal, state and local governments.
Hassan listed the Year Zero Disbursement Linked Results as DLR 2.1 – states adoption of comprehensive guidelines for preparation and submission of consolidated work plan for State Basic Education budget by March 31st, 2025; DLR 2.2 – states adoption of comprehensive guidelines for preparation and submission of consolidated work plan for the State Primary Health Care budget by March 31st, 2025 and DLR 2.3 – local governments adoption of harmonized budget guidelines/chart of accounts.
According to him, the Disbursement Linked Result (DLR) 4.1 focuses on the publication of the Financial Year 2025 Citizens Budget for Basic Education and Primary Health by 28th February, 2025 by the participating states.
He said for Disbursement-Linked Result (DLR) 2.1, Bayelsa, Borno, Kano, Kebbi and Yobe States are to receive $1.5 million each.
For DLR 2.2, he said, Bayelsa, Borno, Kano, Kebbi and Yobe States are to be incentivised with $1.5 million each.
He added that Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Kano, Plateau, Taraba and Yobe States are to receive $500,000 each for achieving DLR 2.3.
While on DLR 4.1, he said, Abia, Plateau, Bayelsa, Borno, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ondo and Yobe States would be receiving $500,000 each.
He explained that other participating states were not eligible for the incentives because they either published the required guidelines after the March 31, 2025 deadline, failed to meet most of the stipulated criteria, or did not publish the required results on their official state websites.
The National Coordinator identified several challenges that hindered the achievement of the results by many participating states. These, he said, include the inability to establish institutional coordination mechanisms, thereby undermining institutional ownership and sustainability.
He also stated that the Interim Verification Agent is currently working to conclude the second phase of verification of Year Zero by July 2026.
Hassan said the overall objectives of the HOPE Governance Program are to maximise utilisation of Federal and State funds at the facility level for Primary Health Care and Basic Education; promote transparency and monitoring of intergovernmental transfers and expenditure for the two sectors; and strengthen execution of coordinated annual plans for PHC and Basic Education.
Others are: strengthen accountability of PHC and Basic Education expenditure, and close the staffing gap by hiring and deploying teachers and priority PHC workers across the states.
The National Coordinator said the Program has commenced preparations for the implementation of the capacity-building action plan to provide hands-on technical support to help States achieve the Program results.
