Abuja, Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of a Community-Based National Social Action Fund Task Force aimed at driving development from the grassroots and improving socio-economic conditions across Nigeria’s 8,804 wards.
The approval was disclosed on Wednesday night in Abuja by Mr Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
According to the statement, the new initiative will introduce community-driven interventions designed to respond directly to the needs of local communities. Each ward is expected to work with a verified community-based organisation, association, or entity to identify and implement priority development projects.
The government said the plan builds on earlier reforms, including the establishment of the Social Action Fund (SAF) in September 2023 and the Community-Based Procurement Platform approved in January 2026. These frameworks are designed to make it easier for community groups to access and deliver projects worth up to N50 million.
To ensure smooth implementation, President Tinubu approved a project timeline starting March 1, with full delivery expected by December.
A programme management unit will be set up within the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) coordination office of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to oversee execution and coordination of the initiative.
The Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have also been directed to release N17 billion into a ring-fenced special intervention account. The funds will support implementation, monitoring, communication, and accountability processes.
The task force will be chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and will include key federal officials such as the Minister of Finance, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Other members include the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and a National Coordinator.
Speaking on the development, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the initiative represents a shift toward community-led service delivery.
He explained that placing communities at the centre of development will help deliver more practical and immediate solutions to local challenges.
According to him, “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.”
Prof. Pate added that the interventions could include community nutrition support, provision of essential health commodities such as micronutrients and therapeutic foods, as well as small-scale infrastructure improvements in schools, health facilities, and sanitation systems.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the upgrade of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre in Zaria to the National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases.
The Federal Government said the upgrade aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and rapid response.
The new institute will serve as a multidisciplinary centre for public health training, research, and workforce development. It is also expected to expand access to advanced learning and improve Nigeria’s readiness to respond to infectious disease threats.