Federal Government and the World Bank have enlisted the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) as a crucial partner in a renewed effort to reform governance, financing, and service delivery in basic education and primary healthcare. This initiative comes amidst growing concerns about the inadequate outcomes in these sectors.

The engagement is spearheaded by the $500 million World Bank-assisted Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity Governance (HOPE-GOV) Programme of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The programme aims to implement reforms across all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

During an advocacy visit to the NGF Secretariat in Abuja, Dr Assad Hassan, the National Coordinator of HOPE-GOV, emphasised the Forum’s indispensable role in the programme’s success. He highlighted the Forum’s unique ability to foster cooperation among federal, state, and local governments.

Hassan expressed the recognition of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s pivotal role in inter-governmental coordination.

He explained that the purpose of their visit was to socialise the HOPE Governance Programme, seek strategic support, and explore collaboration opportunities. He underscored the significance of state-level ownership in the programme’s effective implementation.

Hassan outlined the programme’s objectives, including supporting the execution of coordinated annual service delivery plans and reinforcing accountability mechanisms in education and health spending across all government tiers. Beyond financial support, the programme aims to enhance data generation and utilisation in decision-making.

Meanwhile, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has said Africa’s sustainable development will be driven by impact-focused investments rather than continued dependence on foreign aid, stressing the need for inclusive, execution-oriented partnerships to unlock the continent’s vast potential.

Shettima made the remarks yesterday at the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) High-Level Policy Engagement held at the State House, Abuja. He was represented by Hauwa Liman, Technical Adviser on Women, Youth Engagement and Impact.

According to the Vice President, development must no longer be seen solely as public expenditure but reframed as long-term investment in human capital, productive systems, climate resilience, digital infrastructure and inclusive markets.

Echoing the Vice President’s position, the Executive Director (South) of Alternative Bank, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, called for stronger public-private sector collaboration and consistent government policies to unlock blended finance and accelerate Africa’s inclusive growth agenda.