World Bank Approves $300 Million Project to Support IDPs and Host Communities in Northern Nigeria

The World Bank has announced the approval of a $300 million funding package for a new development initiative designed to enhance access to essential services and economic opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host communities in Northern Nigeria.

In a statement released on August 7, 2025, the Bank confirmed that the project, officially named the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project (SOLID), will adopt a comprehensive integrated development strategy. This approach aims to help displaced persons and their host communities transition from humanitarian aid dependency to self-reliance and resilience.

According to the World Bank, ongoing conflict and insecurity have displaced over 3.5 million people in the region, creating severe pressure on infrastructure and intensifying competition for scarce resources. The SOLID project builds on past government and partner initiatives, including the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), which focused primarily on emergency recovery efforts.

Key Areas of Focus

The World Bank outlined several strategic components of the project:

Climate-resilient infrastructure development to withstand environmental challenges.
Promotion of social cohesion to strengthen relationships between displaced persons and host communities.
Livelihood support programs to create sustainable income-generating opportunities.
Institutional capacity building to improve the government’s ability to respond effectively to forced displacement pressures.

“We are glad to support this initiative, which has a tremendous potential to help Nigeria address the development challenges associated with protracted displacement in a sustainable way,” said Mathew Verghis, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria.

The Bank further emphasized that the integrated approach is aligned with Nigeria’s National IDP Policy and the Federal Government’s long-term development vision. This alignment is expected to empower IDPs and host communities to achieve economic independence and greater resilience.

Scope and Impact

The SOLID project is projected to benefit up to 7.4 million people, including 1.3 million IDPs. Implementation will follow a community-driven model involving federal, state, and local governments, alongside international development partners and humanitarian agencies.

For more information on the World Bank’s development projects in Nigeria, visit the World Bank Nigeria Overview.

Daily Trust

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