The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has officially launched the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity–Governance (HOPE-GOV) programme. The initiative, valued at $500 million, is designed to enhance financial and human resource management in the key sectors of basic education and primary healthcare across Nigeria.

The programme, which will be managed by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, aims to support improved funding, accountability, and workforce development in these critical social sectors. The funding is split into two main components: $480 million to incentivize states for achieving specific Disbursement Linked Results and $20 million allocated to Investment Project Financing.

Program Components and Focus

According to Dr. Assad Hassan, the National Coordinator of the HOPE-GOV Programme, the $20 million Investment Project Financing component will focus on three key areas:

1. Programme Coordination
2. Verification of Results at the state level, including monitoring and evaluation
3. Technical Assistance for implementing agencies, including states, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Dr. Hassan explained that the programme is structured as a World Bank-assisted credit that includes Programme-for-Results (P-for-R) and Investment Project Financing components. He noted that the initiative addresses long-standing challenges in financing, governance, and human resources in both the basic education and primary healthcare sectors.

Programme Goals and Key Areas

The main objectives of HOPE-GOV are to:

• Increase Financing for basic education and primary healthcare
• Strengthen Transparency and Accountability in budgeting, audits, and financial processes
• Support Recruitment and Retention of teachers and healthcare workers to close existing manpower gaps.

Dr. Hassan highlighted that the programme’s success would rely on engaging all levels of government, from federal to state, to ensure better funding and oversight in these sectors. The Ministry has been working closely with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund within the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure greater financial efficiency.

Disbursement Linked Indicators

The programme will also evaluate participating states based on six Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), which are assessed and verified by Independent Verification Agents before funds are released. This performance-based funding model incentivizes states to reinvest their funds into further improvements and results in subsequent performance cycles.

Dr. Hassan further clarified that the incentive structure is designed to encourage states to reinvest the funds from their successful achievements into future cycles, ensuring continuous improvements in education and healthcare.

Timeline and State Participation

The HOPE-GOV Programme was approved by the World Bank in September 2024, after successful negotiations in August 2024. The Federal Executive Council granted approval in February 2025, and the Financing Agreement was countersigned by the Federal Government in April 2025. The programme officially became effective in September 2025.

All 36 states of Nigeria, along with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed interest in participating in the programme. Subsidiary Agreements have already been sent to the states for execution.

Government Support

In her response, Dr. Deborah O. N. Odoh, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, expressed the ministry’s full support for the successful implementation of the programme. She commended the progress achieved in such a short time and expressed confidence that the initiative would significantly enhance service delivery in both the basic education and primary healthcare sectors across Nigeria.