…World Bank-backed initiatives target vulnerable households, schools, healthcare and displaced communities
President Bola Tinubu has unveiled five major social and economic development programmes valued at about $3.05 billion, aimed at reducing poverty, strengthening healthcare and education, and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable Nigerians.
The programmes, largely financed by the World Bank, were launched on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Tinubu was represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The initiatives are designed to complement the administration’s economic reforms by expanding access to healthcare, improving education outcomes, strengthening social protection and supporting communities affected by economic hardship and displacement.
Speaking at the launch, Edun said the programmes demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of ongoing economic reforms reach ordinary Nigerians. “This is not just a set of programmes; these are promises kept. Today, we act on our pledge by protecting the vulnerable, empowering communities and building the human capital that will carry Nigeria forward,” he said.
According to the minister, recent improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators—including stronger foreign reserves, moderating inflation and improving economic performance—have created a platform for more inclusive growth.
He added that the government’s cash transfer programme has already reached 15 million vulnerable households, stressing that effective implementation and accountability will be critical to the success of the new interventions.
Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, described the programmes as a coordinated response to poverty, rising living costs and Nigeria’s human capital challenges, while Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the education component would benefit nearly 30 million pupils, support 500,000 teachers, and improve learning conditions in about 65,000 public schools nationwide.
The largest component of the package is the $1.5 billion HOPE Programme, which focuses on governance reforms, primary healthcare and public education.
Under the programme:
- $570 million will strengthen primary healthcare, improve maternal and child health services, and expand healthcare access for an estimated 40 million Nigerians.
- $562 million will support foundational education, benefiting almost 30 million schoolchildren, 500,000 teachers, and thousands of public schools nationwide.
- $1.25 billion has been allocated to the NG-CARES Additional Financing Programme to support vulnerable households, smallholder farmers, small businesses and community livelihood projects affected by economic shocks.
- $300 million will fund the SOLID Programme, helping internally displaced persons and host communities transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable livelihoods.
The World Bank said the financing reflects the importance of investing in healthcare, education and social protection to strengthen Nigeria’s long-term development. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the National Assembly also pledged support for the implementation of the programmes.
