Tinubu unveils $3.05bn World Bank-funded programme

By Philippine Duru

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President Bola Tinubu has officially launched a $3.05 billion World Bank-supported package of social intervention and development programmes aimed at reducing poverty, strengthening healthcare and education systems, and improving the livelihoods of millions of vulnerable Nigerians.

The landmark initiative, unveiled at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, represents one of the Federal Government’s most ambitious social investment programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The package is expected to accelerate poverty reduction, deepen investments in human capital, and build resilience among communities affected by economic hardship and displacement.

Speaking during the launch, President Tinubu said the economic reforms introduced by his administration must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, the intervention is designed to ensure that the benefits of economic recovery are felt in every household, particularly among the poor and vulnerable.

“Our economic reforms are laying the foundation for long-term prosperity, but the true measure of success is when every Nigerian family begins to experience meaningful improvements in their quality of life,” the President said.

The $3.05 billion financing package comprises five major programmes jointly supported by the World Bank to tackle poverty from multiple fronts.

Among them is the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Additional Financing (NG-CARES AF), which will provide support to poor households, smallholder farmers, small businesses, and communities affected by economic shocks.

Another component is the Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities (SOLID) programme, aimed at improving living conditions and economic opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) while strengthening communities hosting displaced populations.

The remaining three initiatives fall under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) programme, comprising:

• HOPE-GOV, which focuses on improving governance and service delivery;
• HOPE-PHC, designed to strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system; and
• HOPE-EDU, which seeks to transform basic education across the country through improved infrastructure, teacher development and enhanced learning outcomes.

One of the flagship components, HOPE-EDU, is expected to benefit approximately 29 million children, over 500,000 teachers, about 65,000 public schools and 10,000 non-formal learning centres nationwide.

The programme is jointly financed by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), with the objective of improving access to quality education and learning outcomes across Nigeria.

Similarly, the healthcare component seeks to improve primary healthcare delivery by expanding access to essential medical services, upgrading health facilities and improving maternal and child health indicators.

The NG-CARES programme will also channel significant funding toward supporting smallholder farmers, vulnerable households and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), helping them recover from economic shocks and build sustainable livelihoods.

Government officials noted that strengthening local production, agriculture and small businesses remains critical to reducing unemployment and lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

The programmes form part of the broader Renewed Hope Development Plan 2026–2030, which serves as the Federal Government’s roadmap for inclusive economic growth, human capital development and poverty reduction.

The administration said the intervention aligns with its long-term vision of building resilient communities while ensuring that reforms in the economy translate into measurable improvements in education, healthcare, employment and social protection.

President Tinubu urged federal, state and local governments, development partners and implementing agencies to work together to ensure the successful execution of the programmes.

He stressed that effective implementation, transparency and accountability would determine the extent to which the interventions improve the lives of Nigerians.

The President expressed confidence that with strong collaboration and sustained commitment, the programmes would significantly reduce poverty, strengthen public institutions and lay the foundation for long-term national development.