The Federal Government is seeking a total of $1.5 billion in new financing from the World Bank to support social protection, early childhood development and climate resilience programmes across Nigeria.
The proposed funding is divided into three separate $500 million projects, according to documents detailing the World Bank’s pipeline of proposed operations for Nigeria.
The projects include the Household Prosperity and Empowerment – Social Protection project (HOPE-SP), the Nigeria Early Childhood Development project and additional financing for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) programme.
The three proposals are currently at different stages of preparation, with the World Bank expected to consider the additional ACReSAL financing in October 2026. The other two projects are scheduled for consideration by the bank’s board in March 2027.
$500m for climate resilience
The proposed $500 million additional financing for ACReSAL is expected to expand climate resilience and sustainable land management efforts across 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The additional funding would increase the programme’s total financing to about $1.2 billion.
The project is designed to address challenges including land degradation, climate vulnerability, food insecurity and pressure on natural resources.
Planned activities include watershed management, rehabilitation of degraded landscapes, dryland management and initiatives aimed at strengthening community resilience.
The financing would also support the expansion of community revolving funds and digital agricultural extension platforms.
The World Bank has proposed October 29, 2026, as the date for its board to consider the additional financing.
$500m early childhood project
Another $500 million is being prepared for a national early childhood development programme covering children from birth to five years old and their caregivers.
The programme would operate across all 36 states and the FCT, with emphasis on improving access to essential services for young children.
The proposed project would support stronger governance, improve the capacity of frontline workers and expand access to healthcare, nutrition, nurturing care and early learning.
The financing is being structured as a programme-for-results, meaning disbursements would be linked to verified results achieved under the programme.
A technical design review is scheduled for October 30, 2026, while March 15, 2027, has been proposed for board consideration.
The World Bank noted that fewer than half of Nigerian children are currently considered developmentally on track, while only 36 percent of children between 36 and 59 months participate in organised early learning.
$500m social protection programme
The third proposed loan is a $500 million HOPE-SP project aimed at strengthening social assistance for extremely poor and vulnerable households.
The financing would consist of a $420 million results-based component and an $80 million investment project financing component.
The proposed programme would expand targeted cash transfers, strengthen the Nigerian Social Protection Information System (NISPIS) and improve systems for identifying vulnerable households.
It would also support the creation of social protection units at state and local government levels.
The World Bank said the initiative is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system and improve its ability to respond to economic shocks affecting vulnerable households.
The proposed technical design review is scheduled for October 30, 2026, while March 16, 2027, is the estimated date for consideration by the bank’s board.
The proposed borrowing comes as Nigeria’s public debt continues to rise. The country’s total public debt reached N166.79 trillion at the end of June 2026, according to figures released by the Debt Management Office.
