President Tinubu Approves N17 Billion Community-Led Development Fund for 8,804 Wards, Upgrades Tuberculosis Centre in Zaria<\/p>\n
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Community-Based National Social Action Fund Taskforce to drive grassroots development and accelerate socio-economic improvements across Nigeria\u2019s 8,804 wards.<\/p>\n
The initiative will deploy community-driven interventions tailored to local needs, with each ward engaging a verified community-based entity, organisation, or association to implement priority projects.<\/p>\n
The approval builds on earlier reforms, including the creation of the Social Action Fund (SAF) in September 2023 and the Community-Based Procurement Platform approved in January 2026, designed to simplify access for community organisations to deliver projects of up to \u20a650 million.<\/p>\n
To ensure effective implementation, the President has also approved a project timeline commencing March 1, 2026, with delivery expected by December 2026. A Programme Management Unit will be domiciled in the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to oversee execution.<\/p>\n
In line with this, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have been directed to release the sum of \u20a617 billion into a ring-fenced special intervention account to support implementation, monitoring, communication, and accountability.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the development, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, stated that the initiative marks a shift toward locally driven service delivery.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.\u201d He said<\/p>\n
The Minister noted that interventions may include community nutrition support, provision of essential health commodities such as micronutrients and therapeutic foods, as well as minor infrastructure improvements in schools, health facilities, and sanitation systems.<\/p>\n
The Taskforce, to be chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has the following members: the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.<\/p>\n
Other members include the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement; the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation; the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; and a National Coordinator<\/p>\n
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the upgrade of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre (NTBLTC), Zaria, to the National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases.<\/p>\n
The upgrade, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda is aimed at strengthening Nigeria\u2019s capacity for disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and rapid response.<\/p>\n
According to a statement by Health Ministry’s Asst Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, the Institute will function as a multidisciplinary hub for public health training, research, and workforce development, expanding access to advanced learning and strengthening the country\u2019s readiness to manage infectious disease threats.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
President Tinubu Approves N17 Billion Community-Led Development Fund for 8,804 Wards, Upgrades Tuberculosis Centre in Zaria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Community-Based National Social Action Fund Taskforce to drive grassroots development and accelerate socio-economic improvements across Nigeria\u2019s 8,804 wards. The initiative will deploy community-driven interventions tailored to local needs, with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":149775,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[356,18,20],"tags":[2917,2918,2916],"class_list":{"0":"post-150425","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"category-news","9":"category-the-nation","10":"tag-national-social-action-fund-taskforce","11":"tag-ntbltc","12":"tag-presiden-tinubu"},"yoast_head":"\n