The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has called on states to publish details of education and health sector contracts on a quarterly basis to enhance transparency and accountability.
The directive is being implemented under the World Bank–supported Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE-GOV) programme of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Through the programme, states are required to make public contract award information within 30 days after the end of each quarter.
Speaking on the initiative, officials outlined key components to be reflected in citizens’ budgets, including sources of revenue, grants and loans, total government expenditure by function, and clearly defined allocations to basic education and primary healthcare. States are also expected to publish budget frameworks, sectoral and ministerial breakdowns, as well as lists of major capital projects with their geolocations.
Dr. Hassan further disclosed that states must publish financial and performance audit reports on basic education and primary healthcare submitted to their Houses of Assembly, as part of efforts to strengthen public oversight and accountability.
He added that, under another major reform, states are required to complete biometric capture and Bank Verification Number (BVN) linkage for at least 80 per cent of public sector workers in basic education and primary healthcare. The measure is aimed at eliminating ghost workers and sanitising payroll systems.
“States are currently being engaged to strengthen their institutional arrangements to ensure diligent implementation of the HOPE-GOV programme and achieve maximum results,” he said.
The virtual meeting attracted about 100 officials from the 36 states of the federation, highlighting the nationwide scope of the reform drive.
The HOPE-GOV programme is designed to improve governance, efficiency and accountability in human capital investments, with education and health at the core of Nigeria’s development agenda.
