Tinubu Approves ₦17bn Grassroots Development Fund for 8,804 Wards
From Our Correspondent
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a ₦17 billion Community-Based National Social Action Fund aimed at accelerating grassroots development across Nigeria’s 8,804 political wards.
The initiative, announced in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by Ado Bako, is designed to deepen local participation in service delivery and improve socio-economic outcomes nationwide.
According to the statement, implementation will be driven by a dedicated task force, with each ward partnering a verified community-based organisation to identify and execute priority projects tailored to local needs.
“The initiative will deploy community-driven interventions tailored to local needs, with each ward engaging a verified community-based entity… to implement priority projects,” the ministry stated.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, described the programme as a major shift towards decentralised development.
“This approach places communities at the centre of development… unlocking practical solutions that directly improve livelihoods and strengthen service delivery where it matters most,” he said.
Planned interventions include community nutrition support, provision of essential health commodities such as micronutrients and therapeutic foods, as well as minor infrastructure upgrades in schools, healthcare facilities, and sanitation systems.
The programme is scheduled to run from March to December 2026, with a Programme Management Unit domiciled within the ministry’s Sector-Wide Approach Coordination Office overseeing execution.
Funding will be drawn from a ring-fenced intervention account jointly managed by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The task force, chaired by the health minister, will include representatives from finance, humanitarian services, procurement, and anti-corruption agencies to ensure accountability.
The fund builds on earlier reforms such as the Social Action Fund introduced in 2023 and the Community-Based Procurement Platform launched in January 2026, which aim to simplify access for community organisations to deliver projects of up to ₦50 million.
Experts note that while the initiative could address disparities in underserved communities, its success will largely depend on effective monitoring systems and transparency safeguards.
