Contrary to reports claiming the state was refused the loan facility for not meeting performance standards, the World Bank has confirmed that Anambra State did not indicate interest in taking part in its 2024 HOPE-Governance Program.
As stated in the July 7, 2025, World Bank Implementation Status and Results Report on Nigeria HOPE-Governance (P181476), “35 states and the Federal Capital Territory have expressed interest in participating in the Program.” Anambra State did not indicate that it would like to take part in the program.
The state’s disqualification or failure to meet any performance standards is not mentioned in the report. Instead, it says that the World Bank only provided guidance to states that expressed interest.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Christian Aburime, said the state’s non-participation was a deliberate administrative decision and not the result of any penalty.
The statement read, “Anambra’s non-participation was a deliberate administrative decision, not a penalty. The 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.”
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