The World Bank has confirmed that Anambra State did not express interest in participating in its 2024 HOPE-Governance Programme, contrary to reports alleging that the state was denied the loan facility for failing to meet performance benchmarks.
According to the World Bank’s Implementation Status and Results Report on Nigeria HOPE-Governance (P181476), dated July 7, 2025, “35 states and the Federal Capital Territory have expressed interest in participating in the Programme. Anambra State did not express interest to participate in the Programme.”
The report makes no reference to the state being disqualified or failing to meet any performance benchmarks. Rather, it states that only states that indicated interest engaged with the World Bank for 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. Related News Kwankwasiyya demands probe into PFIPC budget allocation Oyebanji orders free medical care for freed kidnap victims FUTA teaching hospital to prosecute staff involved in employment racketeering
