Tinubu Approves ₦17bn Grassroots Fund, Elevates Zaria Health Centre to National Institute
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
In a sweeping move to deepen grassroots development and strengthen Nigeria’s public health architecture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a ₦17 billion community-led intervention fund targeting all 8,804 wards nationwide, alongside the upgrade of a key health institution in Zaria.
The initiative is designed to empower local communities to directly identify and implement priority development projects, marking a significant shift toward inclusive, bottom-up governance and service delivery.
According to a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, the Federal Government has established a Community-Based National Social Action Fund Taskforce to drive the implementation of the programme.
The statement noted that the fund builds on existing reforms such as the Social Action Fund (SAF) and the Community-Based Procurement Platform, both aimed at simplifying access for grassroots organisations to execute projects valued at up to ₦50 million.
Under the new framework, each ward will engage verified community-based organisations to deliver interventions tailored to local needs, with implementation scheduled from March to December 2026. A Programme Management Unit domiciled within the Ministry will oversee execution, while the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General have been directed to release the ₦17 billion into a dedicated intervention account.
Speaking on the development, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, described the initiative as a transformative approach to development.
“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,” he said.
He added that the interventions would span critical sectors including nutrition support, 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 and includes key members such as the Ministers of Finance and Humanitarian Affairs, alongside heads of major government agencies including the Budget Office and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to ensure transparency and accountability.
In a related development, the President also approved the upgrade of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre (NTBLTC), Zaria, to a full-fledged National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases.
According to the Ministry, the upgrade is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s capacity for disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and rapid response to infectious disease threats.
“The Institute will serve as a multidisciplinary hub for public health training, research, and workforce development, strengthening Nigeria’s readiness to manage public health challenges,” the statement added.
The twin initiatives underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to aligning governance with community needs while reinforcing national health security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
