The World Bank Group has imposed a 30-month debarment on two Nigerian firms—Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited—and their CEO, Mr. Norman Didam, for unethical practices linked to the National Social Safety Nets Project.

The project, aimed at aiding vulnerable households in Nigeria, was compromised during a 2018 procurement and contract process. According to a statement issued Monday, the companies misrepresented conflicts of interest, accessed confidential tender information, falsified experience records, and offered inducements to project officials.

“These actions constituted fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices under the World Bank’s Anti-Corruption Framework,” the statement read.

The debarment bars the companies and Didam from participating in World Bank-financed projects during the sanction period. As part of a settlement agreement, they admitted culpability and committed to compliance measures, including ethics training and enhanced internal policies.

The sanctions, reduced due to cooperation during investigations and voluntary corrective actions, are eligible for cross-debarment by other development banks. The World Bank emphasized its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and underscored the importance of integrity in development initiatives.