Tinubu approves ₦17bn fund for community projects, upgrades Zaria health institution

The Federal Government has approved the establishment of a Community-Based National Social Action Fund Taskforce aimed at driving grassroots development and improving socio-economic conditions across Nigeria’s 8,804 wards.

The initiative, endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will promote community-driven interventions tailored to local needs. Under the plan, each ward will work with a verified community-based organisation or association to execute priority projects.

The approval builds on earlier reforms, including the creation of the Social Action Fund (SAF) in September 2023 and the introduction of a Community-Based Procurement Platform in January 2026, designed to ease access for grassroots organisations to implement projects worth up to ₦50 million.

To ensure effective rollout, the President approved a timeline starting March 1, 2026, with completion expected by December 2026. A Programme Management Unit will be housed within the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to oversee implementation.

In support of the initiative, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have been directed to release ₦17 billion into a ring-fenced intervention account for execution, monitoring, communication, and accountability.

Speaking on the development, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, described the initiative as a major shift toward locally driven service delivery.

“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.

He noted that planned interventions may include community nutrition programmes, provision of essential health commodities such as micronutrients and therapeutic foods, as well as minor infrastructure upgrades in schools, healthcare facilities, and sanitation systems.

The Taskforce will be chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and will include key government officials such as the Ministers of Finance and Humanitarian Affairs, alongside heads of relevant agencies including the Bureau of Public Procurement, Budget Office of the Federation, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

In a related development, President Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre in Zaria to the National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases.

The move aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and rapid response.

The new institute will serve as a multidisciplinary hub for public health training, research, and workforce development, expanding access to advanced learning while boosting the country’s readiness to manage infectious disease threats.