FG, World Bank Direct States to Publish Education, Health Contracts Quarterly

 

FG, World Bank Direct States to Publish Education, Health Contracts Quarterly

Abuja, Nigeria – January 27, 2026

In a major push to strengthen transparency and accountability in public spending, the Federal Government (FG), in collaboration with the World Bank, has directed all states to publish details of education and primary healthcare contracts on a quarterly basis.

The directive is being implemented under the World Bank–assisted Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE-GOV) Programme of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. According to the programme, participating states must make contract award information public within 30 days after the end of each quarter as a condition for accessing performance-based incentive funds. (Vanguard News)

Key Disclosure Requirements

States are mandated to publish the following minimum details on their official government websites:

• Project name

• Awarding institution

• Date of contract award

• Name of contractor

• Contract amount

This requirement is aimed at enabling independent verification by Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) and ensuring compliance with the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS). (Vanguard News)

Linking Transparency to Funding

The National Coordinator of the HOPE-GOV Programme, Dr. Assad Hassan, explained that quarterly disclosures are compulsory for all participating states and will directly determine their eligibility for World Bank-supported incentive disbursements. States without e-procurement systems must also provide schedules of awarded contracts for verification, while those with digital procurement platforms must ensure real-time publication of procurement data. (Businessday NG)

Beyond Contracts: Citizens’ Budget & Payroll Reforms

In addition to contract publication, states are required to:

• Publish their 2026 Citizens’ Budget for Basic Education and Primary Healthcare by February 28, 2026

• Release financial and performance audit reports submitted to their State Houses of Assembly

• Complete biometric capture and BVN linkage for at least 80% of education and health workers to eliminate ghost workers and sanitize payroll systems

These measures are designed to deepen public oversight, improve service delivery, and ensure value for money in critical social sectors. (Opinion Nigeria)

Strengthening Governance and Public Trust

The FG–World Bank collaboration reflects a broader reform agenda to improve governance, boost efficiency, and rebuild public confidence in how education and health funds are managed across Nigeria. With education and healthcare positioned at the heart of national development, the initiative is expected to significantly enhance accountability and development outcomes.

This policy marks a critical step toward open governance, responsible public spending, and sustainable human capital development in Nigeria.