The World Bank has approved $300 million in financing for Nigeria to enhance resilience and improve access to essential services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and their host communities in Northern Nigeria.
In a statement on Monday, World Bank Nigeria said the approval, granted on August 7, 2025, will support the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project, which targets selected local government areas most impacted by conflict-driven displacement.
The project aims to benefit up to 7.4 million people, including approximately 1.3 million IDPs, by implementing an integrated development strategy aligned with Nigeria’s long-term development goals.
The statement read, “The World Bank has approved on August 7, $300m in financing for the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project (SOLID).
“This initiative will enhance access to essential services and economic opportunities for Internally Displaced Persons and host communities in selected Local Government Areas in Northern Nigeria.
“By adopting an integrated development strategy, the SOLID Project seeks to help both IDPs and host communities move towards greater self-sufficiency and resilience, in line with Nigeria’s long-term development goals.”
The Bank noted that ongoing conflict and insecurity in the region have displaced over 3.5 million people, placing significant pressure on local infrastructure and services in the areas hosting IDPs.
It added that the influx has increased competition for scarce resources, limited livelihood opportunities, and raised vulnerability to natural disasters such as flooding, while local governments face challenges in meeting the needs of both residents and displaced populations.
The project will build upon existing Nigerian government initiatives, previous international efforts, and the earlier World Bank-funded Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project, which focused on short-term recovery.
Priorities include developing and maintaining climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting social cohesion and community resilience through participatory planning and economic cooperatives, supporting livelihoods to stimulate economic activities for both IDPs and host communities, and strengthening institutions to respond to demographic pressures caused by displacement.
“We are glad to support this initiative, which has a tremendous potential to help Nigeria in addressing development challenges associated with protracted displacement in a sustainable way,” said Mathew Verghis, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria.
“The project’s integrated approach, aligned with the National IDP Policy and the Federal Government’s long-term vision, will ensure that IDPs and host communities can transition from dependency on humanitarian assistance to self-reliance and resilience, opening up better economic opportunities.”
The Bank said the project will be implemented through a coordinated, community-driven approach involving all tiers of government, alongside strong collaboration with international partners.
