World Bank coordinator urges Nigerian states to sustain reforms from concessional loans
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Assad Hassan, National Coordinator of the World Bank-backed HOPE Governance Programme, has called on Nigerian federal and state governments to fully utilize concessional loans to build strong institutions and maintain governance reforms beyond external funding. Speaking in Enugu during the South-East Implementation Support Mission, Hassan warned that Nigeria risks repeating a cycle of abandoned reforms if deliberate steps are not taken to institutionalize ongoing interventions. He emphasized that while the World Bank provides soft loans, the responsibility lies with Nigeria to ensure the sustainability of these programs. The HOPE Governance Programme aims to strengthen institutional frameworks in basic education and primary healthcare. Hassan expressed concern over Nigeria's history of not sustaining reforms from previous World Bank-supported programs, such as the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability SFTAS program. He stressed that the success of the current initiative depends on state governments translating financial support into lasting institutional changes and taking ownership of reforms to attract further international support. As of December 31, 2025, Nigeria's debt to the World Bank's International Development Association reached $18.7 billion, making it the third-largest borrower in the IDA portfolio. Ikechukwu Nweje, Task Team Lead of the program at the World Bank, noted that the Programme-for-Results model is used to ensure reforms are tied
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The United States has invested $1.2 million over the past five years in cultural heritage preservation across 21 Nigerian states, according to Keith Heffern, Charge d鈥橝ffaires of the U.S. Embassy. This investment, primarily through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, is described as a strategic initiative benefiting both nations. The project has digitally preserved over 250 Nok artefacts, upgraded a museum, trained 50 Nigerian youths in advanced digital skills, and reached more than 50,000 people nationwide. The system also incorporates Non-Fungible Token-based artefact tracking technology to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property and strengthen law enforcement cooperation. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, noted that this initiative delivers a key component of a cultural preservation agreement signed between Nigeria and the United States. She highlighted the importance of digital preservation in making Nigeria鈥檚 history accessible and plans to extend this approach to other cultural heritage sites. Gen. Christopher Musa retd., Minister of Defence, emphasized that preserving cultural heritage is vital for national security, unity, and identity. The Wheyham Foundation, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, Yale University, and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, commissioned the Wheyham Project, which has digitally catalogued over 250 Nok artefacts, refurbished the Nok Museum, and introduced immersi
Dennis Amachree, a former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services, has stated in his memoir, "DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield," that former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, died from a cardiac arrest during an intimate encounter. Amachree, who was Assistant Director of Operations and Intelligence at the Lagos DSS Command at the time of Abacha's death in June 1998, claims the incident occurred around 4:05 a.m. at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He alleges that a woman, described as a pharmacist, was with Abacha when he became unresponsive. According to Amachree, this woman, who had accompanied her elder sister Abacha's girlfriend to Aso Rock, panicked and left the Presidential Villa before security officials were aware of the situation. She reportedly left Abuja on an early morning flight before she could be questioned. Amachree claims he was later directed to locate and interrogate her in Lagos, where she stated, "I did not kill him, he died on top of me." Amachree asserts that this account contradicts various conspiracy theories surrounding Abacha's death, which has been a subject of speculation since he died in office in November 1993.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State welcomed 13-year-old Chimdiebube Onwubiko Victor, an International STEM Olympiad champion, after his performance at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy. Chimdiebube secured a gold medal in Mathematics and a silver medal in Science. Governor Mbah announced this on social media, highlighting the achievement as a proud moment for Enugu State and Nigeria. He commended Chimdiebube, his Mathematics teacher Chisom Unachukwu, and Evergreen Schools for nurturing the young talent. The governor reiterated his administration's dedication to enhancing education through the Smart Green Schools initiative, aiming to provide opportunities for children in Enugu to realize their potential. Chimdiebube was one of three Nigerian students who excelled at the Olympiad, which took place from July 2 to 8 and featured participants from over 150 countries. Other Nigerian medalists included Don Anele Munachimso Marvelous, who won double gold in Mathematics and Science and was named the World's Best in Science, and 11-year-old Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan, who won gold in Mathematics and was recognized as the World's Best in Primary Mathematics.