The World Bank has greenlit a $300 million loan to bolster resilience and improve access to essential services for approximately 7.4 million people, including 1.3 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in conflict-affected regions of Northern Nigeria. Announced on August 7, 2025, the funding will support the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project (SOLID), focusing on select Local Government Areas strained by displacement, according to a statement from World Bank Nigeria.
The SOLID initiative builds on prior efforts, including the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project, and aligns with Nigeria’s long-term development goals. It aims to address the challenges posed by over 3.5 million displaced individuals, which have overwhelmed local infrastructure, intensified resource competition, and heightened vulnerability to floods. The project will prioritize climate-resilient infrastructure, foster social cohesion through community-driven planning and economic cooperatives, support livelihoods to boost economic activity, and strengthen local institutions to manage demographic pressures.
Mathew Verghis, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, emphasized the project’s potential, stating, “This integrated approach supports Nigeria’s vision to transition IDPs and host communities from humanitarian dependency to self-reliance, unlocking better economic prospects.” Task Team Leaders Fuad Malkawi and Christopher Johnson underscored the project’s role in addressing infrastructure and service gaps, promoting sustainable economic outcomes, and fostering stability in host communities.
The loan adds to Nigeria’s growing debt to the World Bank, which reached $18.23 billion by March 31, 2025, up $420 million from December 2024, per the Debt Management Office. The increase stems from borrowings through the International Development Association, rising to $16.99 billion, while loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development remained steady at $1.24 billion. The World Bank now accounts for 39.7% of Nigeria’s $45.98 billion external debt and 81.2% of its $22.43 billion multilateral debt in Q1 2025. The SOLID project, implemented with collaboration across government tiers and international partners, aims to drive inclusive growth and resilience in Nigeria’s north amidst ongoing fiscal challenges.
