Yobe gets $2.5m World Bank performance grant for excellence in governance, budget reforms

Yobe State has secured a $2.5 million performance-based grant under the World Bank-supported HOPE Governance Programme after meeting key governance and budgeting reform targets set by the Federal Government.

The grant followed an independent assessment of states’ performance under the programme’s Year-Zero Disbursement-Linked Results (DLRs). These rewarding states demonstrated excellence in transparency, accountability, and public financial management in the education and primary healthcare sectors.

Yobe earned $1.5 million for adopting comprehensive guidelines for the preparation and submission of consolidated work plans for basic education and primary healthcare budgets.

The state also qualified for an additional $500,000 for adopting harmonised budget guidelines and a unified chart of accounts for local governments, further strengthening fiscal coordination and accountability.

In addition, Yobe received another $500,000 for publishing its 2025 Citizens’ Budget for basic education and primary healthcare, reinforcing the state’s commitment to transparency and public participation in governance.

Assad Hassan, the National Coordinator of the HOPE Governance Programme, announced the disbursement during a retreat for Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Budget and Planning from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.

According to him, the World Bank-supported HOPE Governance Programme is a $500 million initiative aimed at strengthening financing, transparency, accountability, and service delivery in Nigeria’s basic education and primary healthcare sectors through performance-based incentives.

Yobe’s outstanding performance underscores the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s commitment to prudent financial management, institutional reforms, and improved service delivery for the benefit of the people of the state.