DEADLINE: 27TH FEBRUARY, 2026
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF BUDGET AND ECONOMIC PLANNING
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRM SELECTION)
NIGERIA HUMAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROSPERITY AND EQUITY (HOPE) PROGRAM
CREDIT NO.: IDA-76400
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: ENGAGEMENT OF A FIRM AS AN INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AGENT FOR THE HOPE GOVERNANCE (HOPE-GOV), HOPE EDUCATION (HOPE-BED) AND PRIMARY HEALTHCARE PROVISION STRENGTHENING (HOPE-PHC) PROGRAMS IN ALL THE 36 STATES INCLUDING THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY
REFERENCE NO.: NG-MOFBUDGET ECON PLAN-521609-CS-QCBS
The National Program Coordinating Units (NPCUs) of the Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity – Governance (HOPE GOV) Program under the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning; the HOPE-Primary Health Care (HOPE PHC) under the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare; and HOPE-Basic Education (HOPE-BED) under the Federal Ministry of Education have received financing from the World Bank to assist implementation of the Program. The NPCUs intends to apply a portion of these funds toward the engagement of the above-referenced consulting service.
The consulting services (“the Services”) will entail Independent Verification of the HOPE-GOV, HOPE-BED, and HOPE PHC programs. The Independent Verification Agent (IVA) in collaboration with the NPCUs will develop a program verification plan and update same on an ongoing basis. The plan will set out in detail and in summary the proposed timelines and activities to verify performance across Federal entities, participating States and FCT for all the Disbursement Link Indicators (DLIs) as well as the responsible parties (including the NPCUs, the IVA, and the World Bank) involved in the execution of various tasks within the plan.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following link: https://nationalplanning.gov.ng/UHSource_Info/7/HOPE-IVA-TOR
The NPCUs now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
The short-listing criteria are:
i. The IVA will be a reputable consulting firm, or consortium of firms, with a lead firm having a minimum of 15 years operational existence as an organization
ii. Minimum of two similar assignments in the last 10 years.
iii. Demonstrated experience in verification/audit as well as M&E exercises, with both desk-and field verification methods.
iv. Deep understanding of governance structures, accountability mechanisms, and financial management systems in the public sector.
v. Experience in assessing and strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of financial and human resources.
vi. In-depth knowledge of the primary healthcare and basic education sectors, including their specific challenges, regulatory frameworks, and best practices.
vii. Familiarity with the Nigerian context and the operational environment of the HOPE Programs.
viii. Demonstrated experience working in virtual work/desk research environment.
ix. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of controls within an IT environment, including experience and competence in managing, storing, filing data electronically.
x. Persons carrying out the tasks should be fluent in English.
Key experts to be proposed for the methodology of implementation may not be included in the EOI, as these will not be evaluated at this short-listing stage.
The attention of interested firms is drawn to paragraph 3.13 and 3.14 of the World Bank’s Procurement regulation for IPF Borrower, seventh edition, September 2025, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
To perform the required verification tasks, the IVA shall be a firm or a consortium of firms. In the case of a Consortium, which shall not be more than three (3) firms, the profile of each of the firms shall be submitted in the proposal,
The Consulting firm will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Sixth edition, February 2025).
Submissions must be submitted in PDF format only and delivered either by email to hopeiva.eoi@nationalplanning.gov.ng OR delivered in hard copy to the address below no later than 16:00 hours (local time) on 27th February 2026. Submissions received after this deadline shall be rejected and returned unopened. The Program shall not be responsible for submissions that are misdirected, misplaced, or delivered to an incorrect address.
The Procurement Officer,
Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity – Governance (HOPE-GOV) Program
Second Floor, Room 218, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning,
Plot C31010, Adekunle Fajuyi Street,
Central Business District, Abuja.
Telephone: +234 8036410739
Procurement Officer
For: National Coordinator
Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity – Governance (HOPE GOV) Program
National Program Coordinating Unit
Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning
