The World Bank has banned two Nigerian firms, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their CEO, Norman Didam, for 30 months over alleged corruption. This sanction prevents them from participating in World Bank-funded projects globally during the debarment period.
The ban stems from the companies’ involvement in fraudulent and corrupt practices linked to Nigeria’s National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP). The $500 million project aims to provide financial aid to poor and vulnerable households across Nigeria.
According to the World Bank, an investigation uncovered that the firms and their CEO misrepresented conflicts of interest, accessed confidential tender information, and falsified records to win contracts in 2018. Additionally, they allegedly submitted forged manufacturer authorization letters and offered bribes to public officials overseeing the project.
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“These violations contravene the principles outlined in the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework,” the bank said in a statement. It added that all three parties acknowledged their misconduct and agreed to compliance measures as part of a settlement.
The NSSNP was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s social safety systems and deliver financial relief to millions. However, the findings highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring transparency in development projects.
The World Bank emphasized that the sanctions aim to uphold integrity across its operations while deterring unethical practices in the future.
