The World Bank has withdrawn the latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU) from its website, pulling the document just days after its April 7, 2026, publication.
The publication, titled “Nigeria’s Tomorrow Must Start Today: The Case for Early Childhood Development,” became inaccessible on April 10, 2026, following a wave of public scrutiny over the institution’s advisory on fuel policy.
While the full document remains offline, the Washington-based bank issued a clarifying statement to address the growing backlash over its position on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) importation.
In its clarification, the World Bank noted that suggestions to allow petrol imports must be weighed against the need for energy security.
The institution shifted the immediate focus toward domestic welfare, stating that:
“In the case of Nigeria, the focus should be to provide targeted support to the most vulnerable people through their well-functioning social safety net system, and the World Bank Group stands ready to step up its existing support.”
While the bank maintained that moving toward a competitive retail market remains an important policy direction, it cautioned that such a transition requires a well-sequenced implementation strategy that guarantees the quality and standards of all petroleum products.
Before its removal, the report offered a cautiously optimistic assessment of Nigeria’s fiscal health, noting that inflation had cooled to 15.1 per cent in February 2026, down from 26.3 per cent recorded the previous year.
The bank credited this moderation to tighter monetary policy and improved food supply conditions. Despite these positive indicators, it acknowledged ongoing efforts to stabilise the domestic fuel market, adding:
“The World Bank Group recognises the efforts of the Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian private sector in taking concrete steps to safeguard fuel supply — a foundation that is essential to protect consumers and businesses.”
The biannual publication, which typically assesses Nigeria’s economic and social conditions and offers policy guidance, also indicated that early 2026 economic indicators pointed to sustained growth across sectors, despite mild pressures from global geopolitical tensions.
The World Bank has not provided an official explanation regarding the removal of the April 2026 edition, as the “page not found” error persists for users as of the time of filing this report.
For now, only the accompanying press statements remain public, leaving the detailed policy recommendations within the full NDU unavailable and raising fresh questions about the bank’s position on Nigeria’s fuel policy direction.
Zainab Abdulrasaq ia a reporter and a fact-checker with The ICIR. She believes that accountable citizenship starts with an accountable government, which is why she highlights injustice and everyday struggles through her reporting, one story at a time. She adores reading and can be reached via zabdulrasaq@icirnigeria.org and @blackbookishgirl on Instagram/Medium.
SOURCE: icirnigeria.org
