Governors of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States — Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Mai Mala Buni, and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri — on Monday met with officials of the World Bank in Abuja to explore ways of strengthening collaboration and improving the impact of ongoing development projects in the North-East.
The high-level meeting, held with the World Bank Country Office in Nigeria, focused on enhancing the performance of several Bank-supported programs in the region, including the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Nigeria for Women Project, Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES), Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), and the State Action on Local Government and Basic Service Delivery (SOLID) project.
According to a statement issued by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to the Yobe State Governor, the discussions centered on improving education, agriculture, livestock productivity, and women’s economic empowerment across the three states.
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Mathew Verghis, commended the governors for their sustained commitment to project implementation and accountability, assuring that the Bank would continue to support the states in achieving sustainable development outcomes.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s continued support toward recovery and resilience efforts in Borno State, particularly in rebuilding communities affected by insurgency.
“Our people face unique challenges. Flexibility in program design and implementation will make interventions more impactful,” Zulum said, urging for faster response timelines and simplified implementation procedures to accelerate the results of Bank-funded programs.
The three governors and World Bank officials agreed to strengthen coordination mechanisms, remove administrative bottlenecks, and enhance transparency in the delivery of development initiatives across the North-East.
The meeting, observers noted, marks a renewed commitment to regional collaboration among the three frontline states as they work to rebuild livelihoods, restore education and health services, and promote inclusive economic growth.
