In a sweeping move to drive inclusive development, the Federal Government has approved a Community-Based National Social Action Fund Taskforce to deliver targeted interventions across Nigeria’s 8,804 wards.
The initiative, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is structured to put communities in charge of identifying and executing projects that directly address their local challenges. Each ward will partner with a vetted community-based group to implement priority interventions.
The programme draws from earlier policy steps, including the establishment of the Social Action Fund (SAF) in September 2023 and the introduction of a Community-Based Procurement Platform in January 2026. The platform simplifies funding access for community organisations handling projects valued at up to ₦50 million.
According to the approval, implementation will run from March through December 2026, with oversight provided by a Programme Management Unit under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
To back the rollout, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have been mandated to release ₦17 billion into a dedicated intervention account to support execution, monitoring, and transparency.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, described the initiative as a practical model for delivering results at the grassroots. He explained that communities will determine their needs, with interventions expected to cover nutrition programmes, supply of essential health commodities, and rehabilitation of basic infrastructure in schools, health centres, and sanitation systems.
The Taskforce will be chaired by the Coordinating Minister and includes key cabinet members and heads of strategic government agencies responsible for budgeting, procurement, and anti-corruption oversight.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has also approved the elevation of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre, located in Zaria, to a full-fledged National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases.
The upgrade is expected to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for public health emergencies by enhancing research, training, and rapid response systems.
Once operational, the institute will serve as a central hub for developing skilled health professionals and advancing the country’s capacity to detect and manage infectious disease outbreaks.