The Lagos State government is set to host a two-day engagement with the World Bank and representatives of five other South-West states to strengthen governance systems and improve public sector accountability. The meeting, scheduled for November 10 and 11, 2026, in Ikeja, will assess progress, provide technical support, and discuss adjustments to the programme's implementation framework under Nigeria's Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity-Governance (HOPE-GOV) Programme.
The engagement is part of the World Bank's November 9-30 Implementation Support Mission, designed to review the progress of the national HOPE Programme and coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. The programme focuses on strengthening public financial management, institutional accountability, and governance processes, while also covering primary healthcare and basic education through its HOPE-PHC and HOPE-EDU components.
The HOPE-GOV component specifically aims to build stronger public institutions, improve the management of government resources, and ensure that public policies translate into better services for citizens. These interventions are designed to improve access to essential services, particularly in healthcare and education, while strengthening the institutions responsible for delivering them.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had previously launched an e-learning platform and free academic materials for students in public schools to signal a new phase of the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) initiative in the state. The governor emphasized the importance of transparency in the $500m HOPE Programme implementation.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Modupe Ojo, described the mission as an opportunity to strengthen coordination among participating states, address implementation bottlenecks, and deepen collaboration towards achieving the programme's objectives. She emphasized the importance of sustained engagement and evidence-based approaches in improving governance and service delivery.
Participants at the physical meeting will include State Focal Persons and technical officers from the Ministries of Finance, Budget, Education, and Health, as well as officials of the Offices of the Accountants-General, State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), and State Primary Health Care Development Agencies (SPHCDAs). A virtual engagement is scheduled for November 17 and 18 to extend technical discussions and implementation support to participating states across the country.
The Lagos-hosted mission forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen intergovernmental collaboration and ensure that the objectives of the HOPE Programme translate into more effective governance, improved institutional performance, and better public service delivery. The programme is crucial to Nigeria's human capital development agenda, particularly in promoting accountability, effective governance, and public sector efficiency.
Key points
- The HOPE-GOV Programme aims to strengthen public financial management, institutional accountability, and governance processes in participating states.
