President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a ₦17 billion community-based development fund to drive grassroots projects across Nigeria’s 8,804 political wards.
The approval, announced on April 22, 2026, in Abuja, forms part of efforts to deepen local participation in governance and improve socio-economic conditions at the community level.
The initiative, structured as a Community-Based National Social Action Fund, will finance projects identified directly by communities. Officials said implementation would be handled through verified local organisations to ensure interventions reflect the specific needs of each ward.
The programme is designed to decentralise development by shifting decision-making closer to the grassroots. Beneficiary communities are expected to prioritise projects in critical sectors such as basic infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social services.
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A dedicated task force will oversee the rollout, with responsibility for monitoring, evaluation, and ensuring accountability across the country.
Funding for the scheme will be drawn from a ring-fenced intervention account managed by federal authorities, with execution planned throughout 2026.
Analysts say the initiative signals a renewed push for bottom-up development. However, they note that its success will depend on transparency, effective local oversight, and strong monitoring systems to ensure proper use of funds and measurable impact at the community level.
