Lagos, World Bank, FCMB drive $500m Programme to boost Education, Healthcare

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to strengthen basic education and primary healthcare delivery through a $500 million reform initiative backed by the World Bank and First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

The programme, known as Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity–Governance (HOPE-GOV), is being implemented across Nigeria with support from the Federal Government, targeting improved efficiency, transparency and measurable outcomes in public service delivery.

In Lagos, officials say the initiative is already reshaping how education and healthcare systems operate, with a shift from traditional input-based spending to performance-driven results.

Speaking at a public presentation on the state’s progress, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the reforms are focused on improving real-life outcomes for residents.

“For us in Lagos, this is about people,” the governor said, adding that “It is about ensuring that a child has access to the right learning materials, that a mother receives quality care at a primary health centre, and that public resources are managed transparently for all to see.”

The HOPE-GOV programme links funding to verified performance, a model designed to ensure accountability and efficiency in the use of public resources.

According to Akin Onimole, Senior Procurement Specialist at the World Bank, the initiative is addressing long-standing structural challenges in service delivery, particularly in procurement and institutional capacity.

He noted that Lagos has demonstrated strong commitment to reforms that translate policy into tangible outcomes for citizens.

The involvement of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) focuses on facilitating the flow of funds under the programme, ensuring that financing mechanisms support implementation at scale.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FCMB, Yemisi Edun, said the bank’s participation aligns with its broader goal of expanding access and opportunities for communities.

“We are working with our partners to open up more opportunities for children and communities,” she said, stressing that “By supporting education and primary healthcare, we are contributing to a system where more people can participate and progress.”

Since 2025, HOPE-GOV has united government and private sector capacity around one goal: improving human capital to make public systems work better. The key results will take time to fully materialise, but the direction is clear—stronger systems, deeper accountability and services that deliver consistent value to people.

With implementation underway across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos is positioning itself as a leading example of how performance-based reforms can drive improvements in education and healthcare systems.