The World Bank has announced plans to restructure the $200 million Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project in Nigeria due to challenges in meeting its objectives.
The project, aimed at enhancing the capacity of Nigeria’s skills development system, has faced poor performance, leading to only $34.88 million being released so far. The restructuring, set to be completed by March 2024, includes adjustments to the project design, implementation arrangements, and resource allocations.
The IDEAS project, launched in February 2020, has faced limited progress, with unsatisfactory ratings in key areas such as incomplete workshop renovations and delayed equipment procurement.
A Mid-Term Review (MTR) mission in October 2023 assessed the project’s performance and identified the need for adjustments in design, implementation, and resource allocations. Component 1, providing grants to colleges, and Component 2, training master craftspersons and apprentices, were notably affected.
The restructuring involves completing some activities, cancelling others, and introducing a results-based contracting fund to focus on scalable and cost-effective skills training for Nigerian youth. The fund aims to link trainees with employers, ensuring job placement or support for self-employment.
The restructured project will emphasize results-based contracting with both private and public service providers. This approach involves training and job placement for youth at a large scale, with new indicators and targets to match the revised framework.
The results framework, including indicators and targets, will be revised as part of the restructuring process. Both the Project Development Objectives (PDO) and intermediate results indicator targets will be adjusted downwards.
The restructuring process is expected to be finalized by March 2024, indicating a commitment to addressing scalability and sustainability issues hindering the project’s success.
The World Bank’s move to restructure the IDEAS project demonstrates a commitment to optimizing the significant investment in Nigeria’s skills development, aiming for tangible and impactful results
