The Nigerian Government has engaged the World Bank for a fresh $300 million loan to strengthen Nigeria’s health security infrastructure.
The World Bank said on its website that the loan, which is under consideration, will be implemented by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control with the Federal Ministry of Finance acting as borrower on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to the World Bank, the loan project is expected to “increase regional collaboration and health system capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The World Bank board is expected to give its approval on July 30, 2025, following necessary assessments. The appraisal is set for April 14, 2025, and implementation will commence in the 2026 fiscal year.
The programme’s primary objective is to enhance regional collaboration and strengthen Nigeria’s health systems to deal with emergencies. It falls within the World Bank’s investment in health, nutrition, and population sectors across Western and Central Africa.
Although the total project cost is yet to be determined, the World Bank has committed $300m to the initiative. The funds aim to bolster Nigeria’s pandemic preparedness and improve response mechanisms for public health threats.
The initiative comes as Nigeria strengthens its public health infrastructure following lessons from previous outbreaks, including COVID-19. If approved, the loan will support the NCDC in improving disease surveillance, diagnostics, emergency response, and laboratory services.
Nigeria has previously secured funding from international financial institutions to boost healthcare resilience, including financing for vaccine procurement, emergency medical services, and infrastructure development.
However, the project, categorised as a high-priority public health intervention, carries substantial environmental and social risks due to potential health, safety, and ecological concerns associated with infrastructure expansion.
Identified risks include increased medical waste, occupational hazards, and heightened energy and water demands. Social risks range from potential grievances from stakeholders to concerns over land acquisition and implementing health interventions in conflict-prone areas.
GIK/APA