However, that is not true. Yes, the World Bank and the Federal Government cancelled $717.7 million in remaining World Bank financing meant for Nigeria’s Power Sector Recovery Programme, but the cancelled amount formed part of a larger $1.52 billion electricity support programme that the World Bank approved to improve power supply, strengthen the sector financially, and support reforms in the electricity industry.

According to the World Bank’s restructuring paper, the cancelled amount simply represented the entire undisbursed balance under the programme.

“The restructuring will result in the cancellation of the entire undisbursed balance in the amount of $717.7 million equivalent, and no further disbursements will be made under the programme following approval of this restructuring,” the bank stated.

The Federal Government requested the cancellation, and both parties agreed to discontinue funding under the Power Sector Recovery Performance-Based Operation. They cited changing sector realities and the government’s failure to meet key reform milestones.

READ ALSO: Why Tinubu, Atiku and Obi Will Fail as President

Out of the total $1.52 billion programme, the government had already used or committed about $802.3 million before authorities cancelled the remaining $717.7 million.

What Sparked Citizens’ Reactions to Tinubu’s Plan to Borrow Money from the World Bank?

Several Nigerians took to the World Bank’s social media pages to express outrage over the Bola Tinubu administration’s plan to secure a new $1.25 billion loan facility.

The reactions followed reports that the Federal Government had entered advanced talks with the World Bank over a loan expected to support economic reforms, electricity expansion, digital infrastructure, agriculture, and job creation.

Reports stated that the proposed facility, titled “Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration”, could receive approval in June 2026. The loan could also become one of the largest World Bank facilities secured under Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Many Nigerians expressed concern over the country’s rising debt profile and worsening economic hardship. They flooded social media comment sections and urged the World Bank not to approve another loan for Nigeria, leading the World Bank to restrict their comment section.

So, Did Nigerians Cause the World Bank to Cancel Tinubu’s Loan?

The timeline of these events explains why so many people connected the dots incorrectly. The World Bank did restrict its Instagram comments due to comments from angry citizens over a proposed $1.25 billion loan. However, that internet protest had nothing to do with the $717.7 million cancellation.

The viral outrage shows just how exhausted Nigerians are with the country’s rising debt profile, but the Federal Government directly requested the loan cancellation after missing key operational milestones, making it a bureaucratic decision.

The post Did Social Media Comments Cause World Bank to Cancel Tinubu’s $717.7 Million Loan? appeared first on NBG Africa.

A new report by the World Bank’s Women, Business, and the Law (WBL) shows that where you live in Nigeria can seriously affect your rights as a woman. The report evaluates how fair laws are for women who want to work, start businesses, or simply live their lives across different regions. From marriage to employment, finance, and safety, these legal factors determine the extent of a woman’s rights.

Typically, WBL measures legal and supportive frameworks in each economy’s primary business city. However, for Nigeria, the study expanded beyond Lagos, the country’s commercial capital. This shift occurred because a one-city method fails to capture the full picture. In 2024, researchers conducted a “deep dive,” zeroing in on the Federal Capital Territory and various states, including Anambra, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Oyo, and Rivers. These locations represent all six geopolitical zones and the nation’s major ethnic and religious groups.

The goal of this expansion was to see how women’s lives differ across the country, and the results revealed a very uneven landscape. Lagos ranked highest, yet its scores remained low: 47.5% for legal rights and 40.8% for women’s support systems. Even in Nigeria’s most developed city, women lack full equality and strong institutional support. In northern states like Bauchi and Kano, scores are roughly half those of Lagos, largely due to Islamic personal laws affecting marriage and inheritance.

SEE ALSO: How Many African Countries Offer Menstrual Leave? The Answer Will Surprise You

Laws Change Depending on Where You Are

Nigeria utilizes a mix of federal, customary (traditional), and Islamic law. This plural legal system means a citizen’s rights can literally change based on their location. For example, while women have equal rights in some areas, in others, they inherit less than men, are legally mandated to obey their husbands, or have fewer legal protections.

In many parts of Nigeria, women are not fully protected by the law. The legal age of marriage also varies; while it is pegged at 18 in some states, in Kano, any girl who has reached puberty can legally marry.

Furthermore, domestic violence is only fully criminalized in Anambra, Rivers, and Abuja. Similarly, laws against sexual harassment in workplaces and schools exist only in a few states, such as Bauchi, Kaduna, and Lagos.

The Support Gap

Scores for Work, Parenthood, Childcare, and Entrepreneurship support are consistently low nationwide. No state scored above 25 in these parameters, highlighting a lack of support for working mothers, the absence of systems to ensure fair pay, and limited help for balancing work and family life.

Although the country struggles with women’s economic opportunities, some states are making progress. Bauchi reportedly offers loans to women-owned businesses, Kaduna provides discounted property registration for women, and Abuja has implemented training programs to help women advance their careers.

What This Means

Being a woman in Nigeria is not a “one-size-fits-all” experience. Rights, safety, and opportunities are heavily dependent on state laws, local culture, and religion.

This study aims to show Nigerian political, community, and religious leaders exactly where the gaps exist, providing a roadmap to fix discriminatory laws and help women participate fully in the economy.

This year’s WBL report shows that almost everyone has the ability to start a business. However, 91 economies still lack laws that prohibit gender-based discrimination in access to credit, making it harder for women to grow and scale their businesses.

The post The Truth About Being a Woman in Nigeria – See What Researchers Found Out appeared first on NBG Africa.