States seeking access to the World Bank-assisted Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE-GOV) funds must publicly disclose details of their education and primary healthcare contracts, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has said.
The new requirement, according to the ministry, is aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the use of the funds by all participating states.
Under the guidelines, beneficiary states must publish disbursement and contract details on their official websites every quarter, no later than 30 days after the end of each quarter.
To ensure compliance, independent verification agents will routinely visit state websites to confirm that members of the public can track how the funds are being spent.
The National Coordinator of the HOPE-GOV programme, Assad Hassan, explained in a statement that the conditions are designed to ensure prudent and open use of public funds.
“The information to be published includes the project name, the awarding office, contract date, contractor’s name, and contract amount,” Hassan said.
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He added that states operating manual procurement systems will be subject to checks on major contracts, while those using digital platforms must ensure that every stage of the procurement process is documented online and accessible to the public.
As part of the requirements, states must also publish a simplified “Citizen’s Budget” by February 28, 2026, showing revenue sources and detailed allocations to local schools and primary healthcare centres.
According to Hassan, the budget should clearly present “a breakdown of spending and a list of major projects, including their locations.”
In addition, states are required to publish audit reports for education and health sectors after submitting them to their respective Houses of Assembly.
Hassan said the Federal Government is supporting states to meet the conditions to ensure the programme delivers measurable benefits to Nigerians.
All states participating in the HOPE-GOV programme have agreed to the transparency framework, with verification expected to begin in the first quarter of the year. States that meet the requirements will be incentivised with World Bank funding.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
