Kogi Government Secures $500 Million For Education And Healthcare

The World Bank is expected to provide the Kogi State Government with an additional $500 million in funds to expand access to primary healthcare services and high-quality basic education.

During a Citizens’ Sensitization Program yesterday at Government House in Lokoja, Hon. Asiwaju Idris, the commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, revealed this.

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He pointed out that the state would get more than $500 million in increased financing to improve primary healthcare and basic education through the World Bank-assisted Program under the HOPE-GOV initiative.

A creative, inventive, and resilient society is built on the foundations of education and healthcare, he continued.

He emphasized that in order to accelerate progress and promote inclusive growth in the state, an enhanced fund that prioritizes healthcare and education—two indicators of human capital development—is essential.

“The HOPE-GOV initiative will support the state government’s efforts to enhance fiscal transparency, improve budget credibility, and ensure accountability in the use of funds for state policies and programs,” stressed Dr. Habibat Tijani, State Accountant General and World Bank Fiscal Focal Person.

“The initiative would improve the recruitment and performance of teachers and healthcare workers in the state, as well as increase the availability and effectiveness of financing for education and healthcare,” she said.

Honorable Wemi Jones, the Commissioner for Education, praised the initiative and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s efforts to reorient the state’s education system. She also mentioned that the current administration has set aside more than ₦1.2 billion for students’ external examination fees in primary and secondary schools.

The Hope-Gov program is poised to transform healthcare service delivery and advance access to vital healthcare services in the state, according to Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, Commissioner for Health.