The World Bank Group has imposed a 30-month debarment on two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director and CEO, Norman Bwuruk Didam, for engaging in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices.
In a statement released on Monday, January 20, 2025, the Washington-based institution said the sanctions stem from breaches of its Anticorruption Framework during the National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP) in Nigeria.
“The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigeria-based companies—Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited—and their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam. The debarment is in connection with fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria,” the statement read.
The NSSNP was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s social safety net systems by providing financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households. However, investigations revealed serious procurement violations in 2018 involving the two companies and Didam.
With this sanction, Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam are ineligible to participate in any projects financed by the World Bank for the next 30 months. The debarment may also extend to projects funded by other multilateral development banks, depending on cross-debarment agreements.
