President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of a new Community-Based National Social Action Fund Task Force to drive development projects across Nigeria’s 8,804 wards, in what officials describe as a major push to bring government interventions closer to the people.
The initiative, announced on Wednesday night in Abuja, is aimed at strengthening grassroots development and improving the delivery of social and economic projects at the local level. The disclosure was made in a statement by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
According to the statement, the new task force will focus on community-driven projects that reflect the real needs of people in different parts of the country. Rather than a centralised approach, each ward will work directly with a verified community-based organisation, association, or group to identify and execute priority projects.
Focus on Grassroots Development
Officials say the programme is designed to ensure that development efforts are not only visible but also meaningful to local communities. By working with trusted groups within each ward, the government hopes to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in project execution.
Nigeria has long faced challenges in delivering development projects at the grassroots level. Many rural and underserved communities complain of abandoned projects, poor implementation, and lack of involvement in decision-making. The new initiative seeks to address these issues by placing communities at the centre of planning and execution.
“This approach allows people at the local level to decide what they truly need,” the statement explained. “It ensures that projects are not imposed from above but developed with community input.”
The approval of the task force builds on earlier reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration. In September 2023, the government established the Social Action Fund (SAF) to support small-scale development projects across the country.
More recently, in January 2026, the government launched a Community-Based Procurement Platform to make it easier for local organisations to access funding and carry out projects. Together, these frameworks are meant to simplify processes and reduce delays often associated with government projects.
Under the current plan, community groups will be able to implement projects valued at up to N50 million. These may include basic infrastructure such as boreholes, classrooms, health centres, and small-scale economic initiatives.
The government has set a clear timeline for the programme. Project implementation is scheduled to begin on March 1 and is expected to be completed by December.
To ensure proper coordination, a dedicated Programme Management Unit will be established within the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) coordination office of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. This unit will oversee the execution of projects, monitor progress, and ensure compliance with guidelines.
The SWAp system is commonly used in development planning to bring together different stakeholders under a unified framework. In this case, it will help coordinate efforts across ministries, agencies, and community groups.
As part of the rollout, the Federal Government has approved the release of N17 billion to support the programme. The funds will be managed through a dedicated intervention account and will cover project implementation, monitoring, communication, and accountability systems.
The Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have been directed to ensure that the funds are released promptly.
The task force will be chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, reflecting the ministry’s central role in the programme.
Other members include key government officials such as the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and their respective ministers of state. Also included are the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation.
In addition, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will be part of the task force, a move aimed at strengthening transparency and reducing the risk of corruption.
A National Coordinator will also be appointed to manage day-to-day operations and ensure that the programme runs smoothly across the country.
The new initiative comes at a time when many Nigerians are calling for more effective use of public funds and better delivery of services. Past government programmes have often been criticised for poor monitoring, lack of accountability, and limited impact on local communities.
By involving anti-corruption agencies and setting up clear monitoring structures, the government hopes to avoid the mistakes of the past.
Across the country, many citizens are likely to welcome the initiative, especially if it leads to visible improvements in their communities. For rural areas in particular, small-scale projects can make a big difference in daily life.
Access to clean water, better schools, and improved healthcare facilities are among the top priorities in many wards. If properly executed, the Social Action Fund Task Force could help address some of these needs.
As the March rollout date approaches, attention will focus on how the government prepares for implementation. The appointment of the National Coordinator, the setup of the Programme Management Unit, and the release of funds will be key early steps.
For the Tinubu administration, the initiative represents an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to inclusive development and grassroots empowerment.