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From Obinna Odogwu, Awka
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has said that the state government did not express interest in the 2024 World Bank Hope Governance Loan programme.
Soludo, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said that the World Bank itself had confirmed that Anambra did not express interest to participate in its loan programme contrary to “misleading media reports alleging that the State was denied the World Bank loan facility due to poor performance benchmarks.”
The statement read in part: “According to the World Bank, in its Implementation Status and Results Report on Nigeria HOPE-Governance (P181476), dated July 07, 2025, 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory have expressed interest in participating in the programme. Anambra State did not express interest to participate in the Programme.”
The governor said that the World Bank’s report made no mention of disqualification or failed benchmarks. It only stated that interested states engaged the financial institution for guidance.
“Anambra’s non-participation was a deliberate administrative decision, not a penalty. Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Charles 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” he said.
