T he World Bank has approved $1.08 billion in concessional financing to support education, nutrition, and economic resilience in Nigeria, reinforcing efforts to improve livelihoods for vulnerable communities.
The approved funding includes:
-
$500 million for the Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme (NG-CARES)
-
$80 million for Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN 2.0)
-
$500 million for the Hope for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) initiative
Expanding Economic Resilience and Support for Vulnerable Nigerians
The NG-CARES Programme, originally launched to address the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, will now expand its reach to provide livelihood support, food security services, and direct grants to struggling households.
With over 15 million Nigerians already benefiting from NG-CARES, the new financing will help mitigate the economic impact of the 2023 fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange rate unification, both of which have intensified financial hardship across the country.
Boosting Nutrition for Women and Children
The ANRIN 2.0 programme is set to enhance nutrition services for pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under five.
This initiative builds on the first ANRIN programme, which provided nutrition services to 13 million children between 2018 and 2024. The new phase will:
-
Improve maternal and child health
-
Enhance food security and feeding practices
-
Increase access to micronutrient-rich foods
Strengthening Education Through the HOPE-EDU Initiative
The HOPE-EDU programme will focus on foundational literacy and numeracy, ensuring better access to basic education while addressing challenges such as overcrowded classrooms and poor education funding distribution.
The initiative is expected to benefit:
-
29 million public primary school pupils
-
500,000 teachers
-
65,000 public primary schools
Additionally, the project will receive $52.18 million in supplementary funding from the Global Partnership for Education Fund.
World Bank’s Commitment to Nigeria’s Human Capital Development
World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiamé Diop, emphasized the importance of investing in human capital as a pathway to economic transformation.
"Investing in human capital is critical for Nigeria as it offers the best opportunity to unlock the enormous potential of its young population. These new programmes will help accelerate education quality and support vulnerable citizens," Diop stated.
As Nigeria faces growing economic pressures, these initiatives represent a crucial step toward reducing poverty, improving education, and strengthening community resilience.
0 Comments