Citation

Rao, R. N. (2026). Digital Education in Tribal Regions of India -Various Aspects. International Journal for Social Studies, 12(2), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.26643/ijss/15

Dr. Ramavath Nageswar Rao

Ph. D, Department of Public administration

UCA&SS, Osmania University, Hyderabad-07

 

Abstract

 E-Learning or Digital Education in tribal areas of India enabling for bridging the rural – urban divide through measures such as Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Digital Literature program, Digital Channels, Robotic Learning and the TALASH Initiative. Microsoft collaboration facilitating a partnership with Microsoft offers an Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum in English and Hindi to EMRS schools and training for training for teachers. Platform called Adi Vidyalaya strives for preserving indigenous traditions and art in digital way. Dristi Foundation is providing digital classroom initiative that helps tribal students in remote areas of our country. Program like DIKSHA-Digital Infrastructure for knowledge sharing, e Patashala, Swayam Prabha channels, Shala Darpan, Shala Siddha, E-Grandhalaya, DISHA, PMGDISHA etc, are providing digital education for Tribal students generally who live in villages of India. UNISED India is working with working with divers government sponsored program on Digital education and virtual learning towards the success of Digital India following inclusive way that facilitating digital education for tribal students through subverting Digital divide in India.

Keywords:  Digital Education, Rural -Urban divide, EMRS, Artificial Intelligence (AI), DIKSHA-Digital infrastructure, ICT, UNISED INDIA Virtual learning, TRIBAL Students

INTRODUCTION:

Indian tribals are the least developed in field of education along with other fields. Efforts are being done by governments at central and state levels to develop education status   among tribals.  Part of this, Government is also striving for providing digital education for tribal students of rural India.  Digital education in tribal areas enabling for bridging the rural-urban divide through measures such as Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Digital literacy program, digital channels robotic learning and TALASH initiative. There has been a serious measure that accelerate the task of digital education and remote learning measures across the nation in general and rural areas in particular. Department of ministry of education, Government of India is implementing various remote learning measures through creative utility of Digital technology virtual learning. Virtual learning, digital learning, online learning, computer aided learning, learning through ICT, Digital learning experience, digital resources are the frequently used terms in the field of education and learning. Modern progressive education involves the application of digital technology and ICT. COVID-19 pandemic led to the fast-tracking digital initiatives particularly in rural India wild traditional education system was affected. Union government, state government and UT governments are bringing educational reforms through digital education. This measure also helps the tribal students in rural areas. Diverse digital initiative under Padhe Bharath Badhe Bharath (PBBB), a self-program of Sarva Shiksha Abiyan (SSA) and the same are more developed under Samagra  shiksha (SS) pedagogy of digital learning requires tools and resources.

Educational Digital Technology Measures:

Following the provisions of the Right to free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and its subsequent Amendments, it is imperative to ensure equity in education system learning equal access to quality teaching and learning with creative utility of resources. Digital efforts are necessary measures for forming education system in India in general and rural India in where most of the tribal children go to schools. Digital Infrastructure for knowledge sharing (DIKSHA) has been started the year-2017 by union government as a national platform for school education to solve the problems of remote learning especially in villages of India. It in facilitated for all the students of grade 1to 12 and accessed through a web-portal and mobile use. Following the India Report Digital Edation-2020, DIKSHA provides access to a large number of curricula linked e- content through several use cases and solutions like QR coded Energized textbooks (ETBs), course for teachers, quizzes and others. It is fect that India lives in the villages.  Kothari Commission says, ‘the destiny of India is being built in her classrooms.’   All these caution us to develop rural India through diverse interventions of Digital India involving Digital Education along with “Virtual learning” Hence; it is imperative measure to provide education for tribe people. E-learning along with traditional learning makes the tribal students equal to the general students through their bright careers.        

Digital India Program:   

The Digital India program, initiative by Union government, brings a transformational effect on the India Digital field along with economic state of the nation. Through connecting the digital divide in India, It is easier to develop major sections of the Indian society and leverage the internal strength to gain a global leadership status. Following the wider area of the country, digital bridging the remotest village of India through broadband and high-speed internet is the crucial measure relating to infrastructure needs of the country. According to the ministry of Electronics and I.T, Digital india   program is a flagship program   of the govt of India with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Digital Infrastructure as a core utility to every Citizen; governance and service on Demand and Digital Empowerment of Citizens is the mission of this program.  This program also aimed at establishing and leveraging the unique identity (Aadhar) which provides digital identity financial inclusion, and access to the common service centers (CSC).  Microsoft collaboration facilitating offers an Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum in English and Hindi to EMRC Schools and training for teachers. Platform called Adi  Vishwavidyalaya strives for preserving indigenous tradition and art in digital way.

 Digital transformation continues to define the education landscape. The Budget proposes expansion of national digital platforms, strengthening online repositories and promoting blended learning models. Investments in rural connectivity, digital classrooms and national online learning platforms aim to ensure that geography does not determine opportunity. At the same time, policymakers recognize that technology is a tool-not a substitute for mentorship. Balanced digital usage, teacher facilitation and community engagement remain essential to preserving the human dimension of education. Capacity building of teachers forms a critical pillar. Continuous professional development aligned with NEP reforms integrates technology with pedagogy. Faculty development initiatives seek to raise instructional quality while embedding innovation in teaching methodologies.                                                                                                                                                       

National e-Governance plan (2005) pared the way for e-Governances as a method forward to facilitate delivery of public services to the masses. Indian economy’s  growth trend is maintained through adoption of digitalization technologies for developing the fields of agriculture, rural sector, agri-food value chain and processed-food Initiatives such as e-Health, e-education and various citizen services ,long-scale skill development program  are assisting to grow Indian rural  economy through promoting inclusive rural entrepreneurship and innovation particularly for rural youth and women. These measures help tribal people for their development. The National Digital Health mission (NDHM) also emerged as landmark task of government having digital solutions.                                                                        

The Digital India program launched new initiatives so that the existing programs to be reflect, revamped and re-emphasized, to ensure alignment to the goals of Digital India program. A digital platform called “my gov” (http;//my gov.in/) establishing recently to provide collaborative and participative governance under this program. The government of India has been prioritization wider implementation of e-Governance schemes so that the digital India program benefits rural masses.  E-governance is the strategy to facilitate and manage government services electronically that empowers citizens through easy access to information. Central government is implementing national e-Governance plan (NeGP) through organized, structured and institutionalized approach. Department of electronics and Information Technology (DEIT) and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DAR&PG) working collectively to achieve the objectives of NeGP . Drishti Foundation is providing digital class room initiate that helps tribal students in remote villages of India.  Programs such as DIKSHA-Digital Infrastructures for knowledge for knowledge sharing, e - patashala, Swayam Prabha channels, Shala Darpan, Shala siddhi, E-Granthalaya , DISHA, PMGDISHA, ICT Scheme under Samagra Shiksha are providing digital education for tribal students of remote villages. UNISED INDIA is working implementing various digital initiatives. All these measures by government will develop Digital Education and Virtual Learning among tribal students following inclusive development towards VIKSIT BHARAT-2047.                                                                                                                                    

PM E- VIDYA:  

A comprehensive measure called PM e-VIDYA has been initiated by central government Approximately 250 million school children are going to get benefit across the nation on 17^th May 2020. It enables for the achieving goals of national Education policy (NEP) - 2020.  This measure highlights technology to make education accessible to all students including remote rural areas. key components of this program, pm e-VIDYA are DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for school Education),   PM  e -  vidya DTH TV channels, SWAYAM (study webs of active-learning for young Aspiring Minds), Radio, Community Radio & CBSE Podcast - shiksha Vani, Digitally Accessible Information System (AISY),Virtual labs & Skilling e-labs and e-Content for Teachers Digital Infrastructure for knowledge Sharing(DIKSHA) has been  launched by Central government of India in 2017 which acts a national for school education to solve the issues and challenges of remote learning particularly in villages of India .It in accessible for the all students of grades 1 to 12 and will be accessed through a web portal and mobile use.   This program offers access to a wide range of curriculum relating e-content via many use cases and solutions like QR coded Energized Textbooks (ETBs), courses for teachers, quizzes and others.                                                                                        

e - Patashala is a joint measure of government for the goal of showcasing and disseminating all educational e-resources involving audio-video resources, periodicals and wide range of other digital resources. The e - Patashala Mobile app is structured to solve the problem of digital divide of rural India by enabling the communities of teachers, student’s educators and parents ease of access to e- Books, ICT interventions and several other virtual and digital resources. In this way, it serves rural Indian people to access hard and soft materials through mobile apps and websites. Swayam Prabha channels are the access to digital education via TV channels while Swayam Prabha DTH channels help and reach the people who do have access to the internet. By the 2020, 32 channels landmarked for school education along with higher education.   The Digital Saksharata  Abhiyan or National Digital Literacy mission (NDLM) Scheme was structured to provide IT training to Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers and authorized ration dealers in all the states and UTs of India. Villagers of India get benefit from this national scheme Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharata Abhiyan (PM G DISHA) scheme empowers the citizens of India specially rural area of our country through training them to access to the Digital India measures through operating digital devices.                                                                                                                                             

The important focus is to reduce the digital divide specially marginalized sections. The other digital measures like shiksha vani, knowledge management system (LMS), Online labs (OL ABS), National knowledge Network (NKN) SMS-Based mid-day meal Monitoring scheme, management and Information system (PMIS), Swagamya  Pusthakalaya   are serving the people especially in rural areas. UNISED INDIA is implementing several digital measures specially in villages of India  which involves Low Cost and No Cost e- resources, Project Based learning, Solar energy Operated smart  classes, ICT Integrated Education, Capacity Building on Early Grade pedagogy and Virtual Learning and Unique internation under Rashtiya  Aviskar  Abhiyan (RAA) Shala  Darpan is an e- Government play form acting as facilitator for all Kendriya  Vidyalaya  across the country involving rural India shala siddhi is the National Program for school standards and Evaluation (NPSSE) which acts as a comprehensive instruments for school evaluation paring the way for school  improvement. Central government state government and UT government are supporting the schools along with rural school in their self-appraisal and development. The NROER-National Repository of open educational resources NRORR welcomes wide range of educational resources in several subjects and in various Indian languages for primary, secondary and higher secondary classes.                                                                                                                                          

 The ICT scheme under Samagra Shiksha connected the endeavors of Computer Aided Learning (CAL) of Sarva Shiksha   Abhiyan (SSA) with the ICT interventions of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) through assisting the for their creative sharing and innovation digitalization for improving access, efficiency and quality in being provided by Central, state and UT government.  NISHTHA is a national teachers training program having 42 lakh teachers scrolling out on DIKSHA by NCERT utilizing online courses. During the COVID Pandemic, 15 states became ready to roll out online teacher training programs on DIKSHA. Between April to June 2020 total enrollments of teachers for courses were 6 million. Central governments programs utilize DIKSHA for COVID-19 pandemic training of doctors, nurses, NCC, NSS, NYKS volunteers and ASHA workers.

EMRS

Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are fully residential schools managed by central government to provide quality education to scheduled Tribes (ST) students in remote areas these schools are run for ST and PVTG (particularly vulnerable tribal groups) students. There are, as of February 2026, 499 Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across India. These schools follow many particular support systems managed by NESTS. EMRS get became famous as “islands of excellence” through gaining sign remarkable achievements in national entrance exams, sports and cultural competitions across the nation. Therefore, EMRSs are serving to develop education among tribal children with greater success The initiations of Central government, state and UT governments are developing digital skill among tribal people and students.

CONCLUSION:   Digital India has transformed rural India considerably. Now connectivity in villages has improved, innovation has been promoted, the condition of skill development and education has improved, new employment opportunities have opened up and entrepreneurship has also been promoted. These changes are clearly visible in large infrastructure projects, targeted skill development programmes and digital platforms, which are empowering rural citizens and businesses.[1]  The important is connected to the infrastructure specially telecom/broadband infrastructure and power supply. The smart phones which are able to receive government services art being used by entire population.  A large number of citizens in rural India use feature phones that limit their ability to access services electronically In rural India, still there are lower levels of literacy rate in rural India is 67.67 percent while is urban area has 84 percent. Another problem is IT awareness and IT literacy among the literate .A significant number of citizens have difficult to manage digital equipment and internet that they access ICTs in a little manner. India is a country where diversity, having many languages, play key role. Extremely limited numbers of citizens know English which is the fundamental language for digital activities. This situation resists people’s ability to follow the advantage   of the digital process. Despite government   is training to make these digital systems available in Indian languages as well but the process follows its own time became of the large number of languages in India. Therefore, the main problem, the Digital Divide is still going on. The connecting of various networks, interfaces/platforms among various states became a bigger challenge in implementation of Digital India program.   Interoperability of solutions, privacy, security and numerous services interactions have been consistently confronted by the agencies. Lack of highly skilled people, more population, different languages and the distributed control of subject among the states and center are major challenges in the process of digitalization.                                                                                                                                           

Following Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, PM Narendra Modi announced, in 2020, a special economic and comprehensive package for self-reliant India. Education has been recognized as important field with the main post-COVID concept of Technology -Driven Education with Equity. The implementation of Digital India program needs huge budget outlay that became an economic challenge.  Despite all these hurdles, governments are striving for provide the services of digital technology   so that today most of the rural people are applying online activities. At this juncture, authorities recognized the role of educational technology and providing the tribal students. Decentralization of digitalization is enabling for this task.                                      

REFERENCES:

1)      Smartnet. Niva.org, www.nic. in, www. Dbtbharat.gov.in, www.npci.org.in, www. Smart cities, gov.in, Press Information bureau, ministry of electronics and I.T, Dept. of science and Technology

2)      https://dititalindia.gov.in/content/introduction

3)      https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/programme-pillers

4)      https://www2.digitalindia.gov.in/ecosystem

5)      https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/m/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/in-tmt-empowering-indian-citizens-through-technology-noexP.pdf

6)      Ministry of Rural Development Report (2018). ”Digital India Land Records Modernization Program”, Dept. of Land Resources, Govt. of India, Available at:http://nlrmp.nic.in/.

7)      https://digitalindia.gov.in/ecosystem

8)      Department of School Education & literacy, MHRD, Govt. of India (June 2020) India Report Digital Education Remote Learning Initiatives across India, New Delhi.

9)      Balendu Sharma Dadhich, The Success of `Digital India` in Rural India, Yojana, Sept. Publications   Division, Govt. of India, New Delhi.                           

10)  JP Pandey and Raja Pandit, Empowering, Yuva Shakthi for Viksit Bharath, Yojana, March 2026, Publications Division, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

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Citation

Ife, K. A. (2026). A Critique of World Bank Nigeria Development Report Draws Legal, Policy Challenge. Think India Quarterly, 29(2), 33–44. https://doi.org/10.26643/rb.v118i8.7720

 

Prof Kenneth Amechi, Ife

Visiting Professor, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Nigeria

 

ABSTRACT

 

An energy economist, Professor Ken Ife, has strongly criticised recent recommendations by the World Bank urging Nigeria to deepen fuel importation and fully liberalise its downstream petroleum sector, describing the advice as “ill-timed, backward and inconsistent with Nigeria’s own laws. Speaking during a televised interview on Nigeria’s economic outlook, Ife argued that while parts of the World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update were analytically sound, its position on fuel importation undermines the country’s push for energy independence and local refining capacity. “He said that you cannot come to a country that is struggling and has suddenly developed a vision of becoming economically independent, and then advise it to reverse course and start importing again,” According to him, such recommendations run contrary to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which prioritises domestic crude supply for local refiners under the Domestic Crude Obligation framework. “The law is very clear; priority must be given to local refining capacity. Advising Nigeria to abandon that and return to import dependence is not only against government policy but against the PIA law itself,” He warned that increased importation would expose Nigeria to global supply shocks, drain foreign exchange reserves, and weaken ongoing investments in domestic refining, particularly at a time when private sector players are scaling up capacity. He concluded that there is no evidence to support telling Nigeria to depend on imports when major refining countries are restricting exports,”

 

Keywords: Critique, World, Bank, Nigeria, Development, Report, Draws Legal, Policy Challenge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The World Bank's April 2026 advice, urging Nigeria to reopen fuel import licenses and deepen downstream sector liberalization has faced significant backlash, with energy experts arguing the recommendation is ill-timed, economically regressive, and in direct violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).  The core legal and policy challenges stem from the conflict between the World Bank's recommendation to import and Nigeria’s stated goal of local energy self-reliance, particularly via the Dangote Refinery. (Ife 2026).

 

On inflation and cost of living, he argued that Nigeria’s challenges are not due to a lack of resources but policy inconsistencies in implementing domestic supply frameworks. “Fuel price pressures in Nigeria are largely contrived. If local refiners are given crude at the terms stipulated by law, they will stabilise prices and reduce volatility,” he explained. He also took issue with the Bank’s push for expanded social safety nets funded through borrowing, warning that such measures contradict Nigeria’s fiscal laws. “Social safety nets are necessary, but you do not borrow to share money. The law allows borrowing for capital projects and human development, not consumption. If support is needed, let it come as grants, not loans,” he said.

 

It should be recalled that the World Bank’s recommendations have sparked renewed debate over Nigeria’s fuel policy, with critics warning that increased importation could undermine recent gains in local refining and expose the economy to external shocks. The remarks came amid growing debate over the World Bank’s position on Nigeria’s fuel supply strategy and downstream reforms. He made this known during a televised interview on Nigeria’s economic outlook, where he assessed the bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update. While acknowledging parts of the report as analytically sound, he argued that its stance on fuel imports contradicts Nigeria’s policy direction. “We are building refining capacity that will exceed local demand and position Nigeria as an energy exporter. How can anyone recommend that we abandon this and return to reckless importation?” he queried. The economist further described the recommendation as lacking empirical grounding. While acknowledging the World Bank’s accurate assessment of Nigeria’s macroeconomic trends, such as GDP growth projections and sectorial performance. Ife maintained that its stance on fuel policy could worsen economic conditions.

 

Professor Ife concluded that Nigeria’s long-term economic stability lies in reducing import dependence and strengthening local value addition across sectors. “The sustainable path is clear; develop local refining, expand processing capacity and build economic sovereignty. Exporting raw materials and importing finished products only exports jobs and imports poverty,” he added.

 

Conceptual Reviews from Legal and Policy Challenges

 

Violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA): Experts, including Prof. Ken Ife, argue that encouraging fuel imports violates the PIA 2021, which mandates prioritizing local refining and supplying domestic crude to local refiners under the Domestic Crude Obligation framework.

Undermining Investment (Investor Confidence): The Dangote Refinery, representing a multi-billion-dollar investment, provides a significant share of Nigeria's petrol. Critics argue that shifting policy back to imports (reopening licenses) penalizes local refining and discourages future investment in domestic infrastructure.

Economic Sovereignty & National Security: The recommendation is viewed as a reversal of Nigeria's push for energy self-reliance, returning the country to "reckless" import dependency at a time when major refining nations are restricting exports.

Contradiction with Fiscal Responsibility Laws: The World Bank's suggestion to fund expanded social safety nets through borrowing is criticized as violating laws that restrict borrowing to capital projects rather than consumption.

Contrived Pricing Concerns: Critics note that fuel price pressures are "contrived" by inefficient supply management rather than lack of local supply, arguing that enforcing the PIA’s local supply laws would stabilize prices better than importing. 

 

The Guardian Nigeria News:  Backlash and Clarification

Report Withdrawal: Following intense criticism and debates over the feasibility of the recommendations, the World Bank temporarily took down its Nigeria Development Update report from its website.

Revaluation of Import Costs: While the World Bank suggested imports were ~12% cheaper, critics question this, stating it ignores full logistics costs (freight, insurance, storage) and that domestic production is key to long-term economic sustainability.

Call for Gradualism: The Bank subsequently clarified that its position was not a "blanket endorsement" and that reforms should be gradual and carefully managed to avoid damaging local refining. 

Summary of Expert Position: The consensus among critics is that to improve economic conditions, Nigeria must enforce the PIA to prioritize local refining, rather than reverting to imports which risk triggering higher inflation and increased foreign exchange pressure.

Chima Nwokoj  (2026) said that the World Bank has raised concerns over Nigeria’s fiscal framework, revealing that more than N34.53 trillion was diverted from federation revenue over the past three years through pre-distribution deductions. In its latest Nigeria Development Update obtained from its website, the global lender disclosed that although total federation revenue rose sharply to about N84 trillion between 2023 and 2025, about 41 per cent of the earnings did not reach the Federation Account for distribution to the federal, state and local governments. According to the report, gross revenue increased from N17.08 trillion in 2023 to an estimated N37.44 trillion in 2025. However, deductions classified as “first-line charges” also rose significantly, from N6.22 trillion to nearly N15 trillion within the same period, reducing the pool of funds available for distribution.

The World Bank noted that the development has created a paradox in which rising revenues have not translated into improved public spending capacity, as a substantial portion is automatically retained by certain agencies before allocation. It explained that reforms such as the removal of petrol subsidy and foreign exchange adjustments boosted nominal revenues, but much of the gains were offset by the structure of deductions tied to cost of collection and statutory transfers.

 

Agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service account for a significant portion of these deductions. The report stated that their funding is based on fixed percentages of gross revenue, leading to higher allocations as revenues increase. Describing the model as “pro-cyclical”, the Bretton Woods institution said it operates outside the conventional budgetary framework and weakens legislative oversight. In some cases, allocations to individual agencies exceed the revenues of several states and even the budgets of key federal ministries.

 

The report also highlighted the impact on public finances, noting a decline in capital expenditure from N5.5 trillion in 2024 to N4.5 trillion in 2025, with only about 25 per cent of the approved capital budget implemented. Meanwhile, the federal fiscal deficit remained elevated at N16.9 trillion, driven by debt servicing and recurrent expenditure. The World Bank warned that the current arrangement undermines fiscal transparency and accountability, as significant portions of public revenue are spent outside the standard appropriation process.

 

Providing expert insight, an economist at Covenant University, Yemisi Ayinde, said the issue reflects deeper structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s public finance system. He explained that the diversion of about 41 per cent of federation earnings through pre-distribution deductions points to “a broader framework of fiscal fragmentation, bureaucratic self-allocation and weak legislative appropriation control”, resulting in what he described as a parallel fiscal system. According to him, statutory revenue retention mechanisms, initially designed as cost-recovery tools, have evolved into entrenched structures that distort resource allocation and weaken the link between macroeconomic reforms and real sector outcomes.

 

Yyinde (2026) added that the trend has created a macro-fiscal paradox of rising revenues alongside shrinking discretionary fiscal space, leading to constrained capital formation, weaker fiscal multipliers and increased dominance of debt servicing over development expenditure. He further noted that the arrangement raises concerns about transparency, accountability and legal compliance, warning that it could erode parliamentary control over public finances and weaken the social contract.

 

Also commenting, President of the Capital Markets Academics Association of Nigeria, Uche Uwaleke, (2026) described the World Bank’s findings as valid and consistent with concerns previously raised by local experts. “The Federation Account has continued to experience leakages despite reforms,” he said, noting that measures such as Executive Order were steps in the right direction but insufficient. Uwaleke called for stronger efforts to reduce the high cost of revenue collection, which he said is inconsistent with global best practices, adding that broader reforms are needed to plug persistent leakages.

 

Muda Yusuf, (2026), Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, similarly, stressed the need for improved transparency and accountability across all tiers of government to ensure that increased revenues translate into better living conditions for citizens. The report, titled “Nigeria’s Tomorrow Must Start Today: The Case for Early Childhood Development”, also highlighted longstanding weaknesses in Nigeria’s budget process, including the absence of a comprehensive organic budget law. It noted that delays in budget approval, such as the late passage of the 2025 budget and the delay in approving the 2026 budget as of March 25, 2026, have reduced predictability for programme implementation.

 

According to the World Bank, weak coordination between the executive and legislative arms has led to frequent and often untracked changes to budget proposals, undermining macro-fiscal planning. “These weaknesses have contributed to unrealistic revenue and capital expenditure projections that are consistently missed,” the report stated, adding that the extension of budget cycles has resulted in overlapping implementation and weakened financial reporting.

 

To address the challenges, the World Bank recommended a comprehensive overhaul of the revenue management framework, including channeling agency funding through the annual budget process and subjecting it to legislative approval. It also called for a reduction in cost-of-collection charges and the elimination of fixed-percentage allocations, noting that such reforms would boost net revenues available for development. The institution cautioned that failure to implement these measures could further constrain Nigeria’s fiscal space and undermine recent economic reforms.

 

Reactions As World Bank Says Nigerian Economy Resilient, Will Grow In 2026

 Mark Itsibor (2026) reported that Nigeria’s economy is projected to remain resilient in the face of mounting global uncertainties, with the World Bank forecasting a 4.2 per cent growth rate in 2026. However, the institution has warned that rising fuel costs and persistent inflation — exacerbated by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East  could undermine household incomes and slow poverty reduction.

Speaking in Abuja, the bank’s lead economist for Nigeria, Fiseha Haile, noted that while the ongoing U.S./Israel-Iran conflict has pushed up prices, overall economic activity has remained largely intact. According to him, business activity has continued to expand in recent months, indicating that the broader impact on growth has been “relatively contained,” even as inflationary pressures intensify.

Nigeria’s inflation rate, though significantly reduced from around 33 per cent in December 2024 to 15.06 per cent in February 2026, remains elevated compared to regional peers. The renewed surge in fuel prices reportedly rising by over 50 percent during the Iran conflict has fed into transportation, food, and production costs, amplifying the cost-of-living crisis The World Bank urged Nigerian authorities to adopt prudent macroeconomic measures, including tightening monetary policy, avoiding blanket subsidies, and saving windfalls from higher oil prices to strengthen fiscal buffers. He recommended reconsidering restrictions on fuel imports as a potential tool to ease inflationary pressures.

The economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu including the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, and tax restructuring were acknowledged as ambitious steps aimed at stabilising the economy. These reforms have contributed to improved external buffers, with rising foreign exchange reserves and reduced volatility. Additionally, Nigeria’s fiscal deficit stood at 3.1 per cent of GDP in 2025, while the debt-to-GDP ratio declined for the first time in a decade. The World Bank cautioned that tighter global financial conditions could still pose risks to capital inflows, borrowing costs, and remittances.

 Experts Push Back on World Bank Prescriptions

Despite the cautiously optimistic outlook, Nigerian economic experts have expressed strong reservations about the World Bank’s recommendations, particularly its advocacy for free trade and fuel import liberalisation. A development economist and consultant to ECOWAS, Professor Ken Ife, criticised the World Bank’s policy stance as overly aligned with Western economic interests. According to him, the push for free trade often disadvantages developing economies by encouraging import dependence rather than domestic production. “Countries like China and Kazakhstan prioritise protecting their domestic economies,” Ife argued, noting that China imports crude oil but restricts exports of refined products to safeguard local industries. He drew parallels with the COVID-19 pandemic, when countries such as India curtailed pharmaceutical exports despite relying on imported raw materials. Similarly critical of the World Bank’s position, economic analyst Okey Inuegbu dismissed the institution’s forecasts and policy advice, arguing that they have historically failed to benefit developing economies. “The government should not rely on the World Bank’s recommendations,” he said, urging policymakers to prioritise domestic production as the cornerstone of economic recovery.

 Ife, (2026) however, acknowledged the validity of the World Bank’s concerns regarding inflation. He agreed that the sharp rise in fuel prices inevitably triggers higher transportation and food costs, compounding inflationary pressures already influenced by seasonal and security-related factors. On fiscal policy, the development economist strongly supported the call to save oil windfalls but criticised the government’s spending patterns. He argued that Nigeria should channel excess oil revenues into strategic reserves, foreign exchange buffers, and the sovereign wealth fund to create long-term economic stability. “Conventional wisdom dictates that some of this revenue should go into reserves and debt reduction to create fiscal space,” Ife said. He also warned against excessive public spending following the recent expansion of the national budget to N68 trillion.

He advocated the establishment of strategic crude reserves in oil-producing states such as Bayelsa, Rivers, and Ondo, which could support local refineries and stabilise supply. In a more controversial stance, Ife called for restructuring the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), urging it to exit midstream and downstream operations. “They should focus on upstream activities and divest from refineries,” he said, blaming inefficiencies in the sector for Nigeria’s continued reliance on fuel imports. Ife also rejected the World Bank’s recommendation to liberalise fuel imports, describing it as inconsistent with Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which prioritises domestic refining. He argued that expanding imports would undermine local refining capacity and perpetuate economic vulnerabilities. (Ife 2026).

On his part, Inuegbu (2026) emphasized that addressing insecurity particularly in key agricultural regions such as Benue State could yield immediate economic benefits by enabling farmers to return to their fields. He described this as a short-term solution with rapid impact, given Nigeria’s seasonal farming cycles.  “If security is restored, production will rise almost immediately,” he noted, adding that increased agricultural output would reduce dependence on imports and ease inflationary pressures. He also advocated for labour-intensive public works programmes to tackle unemployment, suggesting that the government could engage citizens in infrastructure maintenance while paying minimum wages. On fuel policy, Inuegbu aligned with Ife in opposing import liberalisation. He argued that increased imports would drive prices higher due to foreign exchange costs, whereas supplying crude oil to domestic refiners in naira could stabilise prices.

He pointed challenges faced by local refineries, including those operated by the Dangote Group, which have had to rely on imported crude due to supply constraints. According to him, strengthening domestic supply chains and building fuel reserves would be more effective than opening up imports. The divergence between the World Bank’s recommendations and local expert opinions underscores a broader debate about Nigeria’s economic direction. While international institutions emphasise market-driven reforms and fiscal discipline, domestic analysts are calling for a more protectionist, production-focused approach tailored to Nigeria’s unique challenges. Both sides, however, agree on key risks: inflation remains a significant threat, fuel price shocks continue to ripple through the economy, and without careful policy calibration, gains in growth could be undermined by declining living standards. (Inuegbu, 2026)

President of the Institute of Professional Economists and Policy Management (IPEPM), Prof. Kenneth Ife, has said that closing gender gaps and fully unlocking women’s economic potential could add $12 trillion to the global economy. He warned that Nigeria cannot achieve inclusive or sustainable growth without prioritising women’s participation. Ife spoke during the launch of the Women in Economics and Development Foundation (WEDF), themed “A Catalyst for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development”, and the unveiling of the organisation’s empowerment programme in Abuja

Meanwhile, Founder of WEDF, Dr Annette Mubarak, said that the Foundation emerged from a burning desire to see women rise as catalysts for economic transformation and digital innovation. She noted that women’s contributions from the classrooms, corporate offices, or ministries have often been undervalued. Mubarak, who said the Foundation’s programme would focus on capacity development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, access to finance, and policy advocacy, described the initiative as the beginning of a revolution of minds, opportunities, and transformation, reiterating that women are not waiting for change; they are the catalysts of change.

Ife, a global economic analyst, noted that women contribute 43 of agricultural labour and represent one in three businesses, yet they receive less than 10 per cent of available venture capital. He lamented that in Nigeria, women constitute roughly 49 per cent of the population, but hold only 22 per cent of senior economic leadership positions. The don, therefore, warned that these structural inequities come at a high cost, saying that closing the gender gap in economic participation could contribute an additional $12 trillion to global economic output. He also stressed that improving gender parity could strengthen governance and national economic resilience, saying that countries with more equitable participation of women in economic decision-making experience higher GDP growth and progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, gender equality, decent work, and strong institutions. (Ife, 2025).

(Ife, 2026), however, urged policymakers, institutions, and private sector actors to create platforms and strategies that would integrate women into key economic decision-making spaces, saying that unlocking women’s economic power is central to Nigeria’s growth and Africa’s development. He said: “The opportunity of unlocking women’s economic power allows you to boost GDP, give you stronger SMEs, create more resilient households, increase employment and also improve governance.

Nigeria’s Challenges Due to Inconsistencies in Implementing Domestic Supply Policies’

On in inflation and cost of living pressures, the economist said Nigeria’s challenges are not due to resource constraints but inconsistencies in implementing domestic supply policies. “Fuel price pressures in Nigeria are largely contrived. If local refiners are given crude at the terms stipulated by law, they will stabilise prices and reduce volatility,” he said. The expert further criticised the World Bank’s push for expanded social safety nets funded through borrowing, warning that such measures could worsen fiscal pressures. Social safety nets are necessary, but you do not borrow to share money. The law allows borrowing for capital projects and human development, not consumption. If support is needed, let it come as grants, not loans,” he said.

CONCLUSION

Prof Ife concluded that there is no evidence to support telling Nigeria to depend on imports when major refining countries are restricting exports,” That Nigeria’s long-term economic stability lies in reducing import dependence and strengthening local value addition across sectors. “The sustainable path is clear; develop local refining, expand processing capacity and build economic sovereignty. Exporting raw materials and importing finished products only exports jobs and imports poverty,”

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Develop local refining, expand processing capacity, and build economic sovereignty. Exporting raw materials and importing finished products only exports jobs and imports poverty. Nigeria’s long-term economic stability depends on reducing import dependence and strengthening local value addition across sectors.

On inflation and cost of living pressures, the economist said Nigeria’s challenges are not due to resource constraints but inconsistencies in implementing domestic supply policies. “Fuel price pressures in Nigeria are largely contrived. If local refiners are given crude at the terms stipulated by law, they will stabilise prices and reduce volatility,” he said. The expert further criticised the World Bank’s push for expanded social safety nets funded through borrowing, warning that such measures could worsen fiscal pressures. “Social safety nets are necessary, but you don’t borrow to share money. The law allows borrowing for capital projects and human development, not consumption. If support is needed, let it come as grants, not loans,” he said. “The sustainable path is clear; develop local refining, expand processing capacity, and build economic sovereignty. Exporting raw materials and importing finished products only exports jobs and imports poverty.”

 

 

 

 

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