The World Bank has approved a $300 million loan to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and their host communities in Northern Nigeria. The funding will be used to improve essential services and build resilience in areas heavily affected by conflict.
How the Project Will Help
The project, called Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities (SOLID), aims to benefit up to 7.4 million people, including about 1.3 million IDPs. It will focus on specific Local Government Areas (LGAs) that have been most impacted by displacement.
Key goals of the project include:
- Building Infrastructure: Developing and maintaining infrastructure that is resilient to climate change.
- Strengthening Communities: Promoting social cohesion and supporting local economies through jobs and cooperatives.
- Institutional Support: Helping local governments better manage the pressures of a growing population.
Mathew Verghis, World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, stated that the project will help IDPs move from depending on humanitarian aid to becoming self-reliant.
Context on Nigeria’s Debt
This new loan adds to Nigeria’s growing debt to the World Bank. As of March 31, 2025, Nigeria’s total debt to the World Bank reached $18.23 billion. This represents a $420 million increase in just three months.
The World Bank is now the largest source of Nigeria’s external debt, accounting for 39.7 per cent of the country’s total external debt of $45.98 billion in the first quarter of 2025.
