The World Bank has taken down its latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU) report from its official website just days after it was published, without issuing any explanation for the removal.
The report, titled “Nigeria’s Tomorrow Must Start Today: The Case for Early Childhood Development,” was released on April 7. However, attempts to access the document now return a “page not found” error.
Despite the takedown, the press statement accompanying the report remains available online, highlighting key assessments of Nigeria’s economic performance and human capital development.
According to the report, Nigeria’s economy expanded by 4 percent in 2025, while inflation declined sharply to 15.1 percent in February 2026, down from 26.3 percent a year earlier. The improvement was attributed to tighter monetary policy and better food supply conditions.
The World Bank also emphasised the need for increased investment in early childhood development, warning that weak human capital outcomes could limit the long-term impact of ongoing economic reforms on living standards and job creation.
It noted that Nigeria continues to face significant developmental challenges, including high under-five mortality rates—estimated at more than 110 deaths per 1,000 children—as well as widespread gaps in early childhood development outcomes.
The institution further observed that Nigeria’s economy has remained resilient due to recent stabilisation measures, with early 2026 indicators suggesting continued growth across major sectors, despite pressures from global economic tensions.
The Nigeria Development Update is a biannual World Bank publication that reviews economic and social trends while offering policy recommendations for sustainable development. As of press time, the institution has not provided any official explanation for removing the April 2026 report from its website.