States seeking World Bank-assisted funding under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE-GOV) programme must make details of their education and primary health care contracts publicly available, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has said.
The requirement aims to ensure transparency in the disbursement of funds. States are expected to post disbursement details on their websites every three months, within 30 days after each quarter ends, allowing citizens to track how resources are spent. Independent checkers will also review the websites to confirm public accessibility.
According to the National Coordinator of the HOPE-GOV programme, Assad Hassan, the information to be published includes project names, the office awarding the contracts, the date, contractor names, and the amounts involved. For states using manual systems, major contracts will be reviewed, while states with digital systems must record every step of the process online.
States are also required to publish a simple “Citizen’s Budget” by February 28, 2026, showing funding sources and the exact amounts allocated to local schools and health centres. Citizens should be able to see a detailed breakdown of spending and the locations of major projects.
To prevent “ghost workers,” at least 80 percent of teachers and health workers must have their fingerprints and BVN registered. This measure will help remove fictitious employees from the payroll and ensure funds reach actual workers. States must also publish audit reports for education and health after submitting them to their Houses of Assembly.
The government is supporting states to meet these requirements so the programme can deliver maximum impact. All states have agreed to implement the initiative, with verification set to begin in the first quarter of the year. States that comply with the conditions will be incentivised with World Bank funding.
