LAGOS/ABUJA — Local communities across Nigeria are set for a major facelift as President Bola Tinubu approved ₦17 billion for the implementation of community-driven projects. The new “Social Action Fund” will bypass traditional bottlenecks, allowing local associations in all 8,804 wards to lead their own development.
The project, slated to begin on March 1, targets the delivery of “quick-win” infrastructure by December. This includes:
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Health: Provision of essential micronutrients and therapeutic foods.
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Infrastructure: Minor repairs to local schools and health clinics.
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Sanitation: Improvements to community water and waste systems.
Accountability First To prevent the mismanagement of funds, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General’s office have been ordered to release the ₦17 billion into a “ring-fenced” account. The Chairman of the ICPC will sit on the oversight task force to monitor the disbursement to community-based entities.
Zaria Center Gets National Status Meanwhile, the Federal Government is also scaling up its war on infectious diseases. The famous training center in Zaria has been upgraded to a full-fledged National Institute. This move is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda to ensure Nigeria is never again caught off-guard by a public health crisis.
Implementation begins next month, with the Ministry of Health promising that Nigerians will see visible changes in their immediate neighborhoods before the year ends.
