Nigeria has secured an additional $500 million from the World Bank to scale up the Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme, a major initiative targeting poor and vulnerable citizens across the country.
The approval, confirmed by the World Bank on December 9, 2025, follows Nigeria’s fulfillment of all required conditions. Suleiman Odapu, Information and Communication Officer of NG-CARES, disclosed this in Abuja.
Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, National Coordinator of NG-CARES, described the fresh funding as a significant breakthrough for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that the injection will strengthen social safety nets, support smallholder farmers, revive small businesses, and boost the resilience of households facing ongoing economic pressures.
With the approval now in place, states and the Federal Capital Territory can begin full implementation of NG-CARES activities through their Delivery Platforms and Coordination Units. Expenditures will be reimbursed after verification by an Independent Verification Agent, Obaje explained.
He added that the Federal CARES Support Unit will maintain oversight, technical support, and monitoring to guarantee compliance with programme standards. Obaje also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and thanked the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for their commitment to the programme.
The Federal Government extended gratitude to the World Bank for its continued partnership in driving Nigeria’s economic and social inclusion efforts.
The new funding is expected to expand the reach and impact of NG-CARES nationwide. Under NG-CARES 1.0, more than 17 million Nigerians have already benefited through initiatives such as school and hospital construction, business revitalization grants, agricultural support for smallholder farmers, youth stipends through the Labour Intensive Public Works scheme, and livelihood assistance for vulnerable households.
States and the FCT have collectively invested over $2.2 billion into the programme. NG-CARES remains one of the World Bank’s flagship projects in Nigeria and holds a “highly satisfactory” performance rating.
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