FG unveils N17bn community fund targeting 8,804 wards

President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N17 billion for a community-based National Social Action Fund aimed at accelerating grassroots development across Nigeria’s 8,804 political wards.

The initiative was disclosed in a statement issued by Ado Bako of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, outlining a framework that prioritises locally driven interventions.

Under the scheme, each ward will partner with a verified community-based organisation to implement projects tailored to its immediate needs, marking a shift towards decentralised development.

According to the statement, the programme will run from March to December 2026, with a dedicated management unit domiciled within the ministry’s Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office to oversee execution.

The fund builds on earlier reforms, including the establishment of the Social Action Fund in 2023 and the Community-Based Procurement Platform introduced in January 2026, both designed to improve access to funding for community-level projects.

The Federal Government has also directed the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to release the N17 billion into a ring-fenced account to ensure transparency, monitoring, and accountability.

Speaking on the initiative, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said the programme is designed to put communities at the centre of development.

“This approach places communities at the centre of development. By enabling each ward to identify and implement its priority needs, we are unlocking practical solutions that directly improve livelihoods and strengthen service delivery where it matters most,” he said.

Planned interventions under the fund include community nutrition programmes, provision of essential health commodities, and minor infrastructure upgrades in schools, healthcare facilities, and sanitation systems.

A task force chaired by the minister will supervise implementation, with membership drawn from key government institutions, including the finance and humanitarian ministries, the Bureau of Public Procurement, the Budget Office, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Breakdown of the allocation indicates that each ward could receive an average of about N1.9 million, depending on project scope and needs assessment.

The initiative is part of broader efforts by the federal government to strengthen service delivery at the grassroots and promote inclusive socio-economic development.

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