‎ By Our Correspondent

‎The World Bank has confirmed that Anambra State did not express interest to participate in its 2024 HOPE-Governance Programme, contrary to misleading media reports alleging that the state was denied the World Bank loan facility due to poor performance benchmarks.
‎According to a statement issued by Christian Aburime, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the World Bank, in its Implementation Status & Results Report on Nigeria Hope-Governance (P181476), dated July 07, 2025, “35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed interest in participating in the Program. Anambra State did not express interest to participate in the programme.”

‎The statement explained that the report made no mention of disqualification or failed benchmarks, only that interested states engaged the Bank 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 program 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,” the statement read.