President Bola Tinubu has permitted a ₦17 billion community-based nationwide social motion fund to drive growth throughout 8,804 wards.
The initiative was introduced in an announcement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare in an announcement signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Data and Public Relations.
The ministry mentioned the fund will assist community-led initiatives tailor-made to native wants, including that every ward will work with a verified community-based organisation to implement precedence interventions.
“The initiative will deploy community-driven interventions tailor-made to native wants, with every ward participating a verified community-based entity, organisation, or affiliation to implement precedence initiatives,” the assertion mentioned.
Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Well being and Social Welfare, mentioned the programme marks a shift in the direction of decentralised growth.
“This method locations communities on the centre of growth. By enabling every ward to establish and implement its precedence wants, we’re unlocking sensible options that instantly enhance livelihoods and strengthen service supply the place it issues most.
“Interventions might embrace neighborhood vitamin assist, provision of important well being commodities similar to micronutrients and therapeutic meals, in addition to minor infrastructure enhancements in faculties, well being services, and sanitation programs,” he mentioned.
The ministry mentioned implementation will run from March to December 2026, noting that a programme administration unit will oversee execution.
“To make sure efficient implementation, the President has permitted a undertaking timeline commencing March 1, 2026, with supply anticipated by December 2026,” the assertion mentioned.
“The sum of ₦17 billion shall be launched right into a ring-fenced particular intervention account to assist implementation, monitoring, communication, and accountability,” it added.
It mentioned the duty power overseeing the initiative will embrace officers from finance, humanitarian providers and anti-corruption businesses.
The ministry mentioned the fund builds on earlier reforms, together with the social motion fund and community-based procurement platform.