By: Tunji Okunlola
The World Bank has clarified that Anambra State did not express interest in participating in its 2024 HOPE-Governance Programme, contrary to reports claiming the state was denied access to the loan facility for failing to meet performance benchmarks.
In its Implementation Status and Results Report on Nigeria HOPE-Governance (P181476), dated July 7, 2025, the Bank noted that 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory had expressed interest in participating in the programme, while Anambra State did not.
The report further stated that there was no record of the state being disqualified or failing to meet any benchmarks, adding that only states that expressed interest engaged with the World Bank for programme guidance.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Christian Aburime, said the state’s non-participation was a deliberate administrative decision and not the result of any penalty.
Aburime noted that the World Bank report contains no reference to disqualification or failed benchmarks, adding that it merely indicated that interested states engaged with the Bank on the programme.
He explained that the state government was currently concluding due diligence and holding ongoing discussions with the World Bank, stressing that Anambra would participate in any programme that aligns with its development priorities.
“Anambra’s non-participation was a deliberate administrative decision, not a penalty. The Anambra State Government, under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, evaluates every programme against its priorities and fiscal timelines before committing,” the statement read.
“The state government also clarified that it is currently concluding due diligence and ongoing talks with the World Bank, and Anambra State will not fail to participate in any progressive programme or policy that aligns with our priorities, now or in the future.
“Therefore, the state government urges the media and the general public to verify facts and resist undue insinuations that may be misleading,” it added.