The Editor
The World Bank has confirmed that Anambra State did not express interest to participate in its 2024 HOPE-Governance Programme, contrary to some reports alleging that the State was denied the World Bank loan facility due to poor performance benchmarks.
According to the World Bank report, in its Implementation Status and Results Report on Nigeria HOPE-Governance (P181476), dated July 07, 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 mention of disqualification or failed benchmarks, only that interested states engaged the Bank for guidance.
In a press statement on Saturday, Christian Aburime, the Chief Press Secretary to the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, said the state non-participation was a deliberate administrative decision, not a penalty.
Aburime clarified that the state government is currently concluding due diligence and ongoing talks with the World Bank, adding that the state will not fail to participate in any progressive programme or policy that aligns with its priorities, now or in the future.
The statement read, “Anambra’s non-participation was a deliberate administrative decision, not a penalty. Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, evaluates every programme against its priorities and fiscal timelines before committing.
“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.”
