The World Bank has approved an additional $500 million in financing for Nigeria’s Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) program, significantly boosting the country’s efforts to expand social protection for its poor and vulnerable populations. This new financing package brings much-needed support to the Federal Government’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the nation’s social safety nets.
According to a statement from the NG-CARES Information and Communication Officer, Suleiman Odapu, the World Bank declared the additional financing effective, confirming that all conditions for accessing the funds have been met. The declaration was made in an official notification to the Federal Government on December 9, 2025.
The National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, welcomed the additional financing as a major milestone in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The new funds will enable governments at the federal, state, and local levels to scale up interventions aimed at improving economic resilience among vulnerable households, smallholder farmers, and small businesses affected by ongoing economic shocks.
With this approval, states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can now commence full implementation of NG-CARES, funding delivery platforms and coordination units. These expenditures will be reimbursed after verification by an Independent Verification Agent (IVA). The Federal CARES Support Unit (FCSU) will continue to offer technical assistance, oversight, and guidance to ensure a smooth rollout and compliance with program standards.
The NG-CARES program has already made significant strides, directly impacting over 17 million beneficiaries. It has supported communities in constructing schools and health facilities, revitalized small businesses, assisted smallholder farmers, and provided stipends to youths under the Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW) scheme. The program has also delivered livelihood support to vulnerable households, with states and the FCT investing over $2.2 billion in its implementation.
The World Bank’s sustained partnership and commitment to Nigeria’s pro-poor and economic inclusion initiatives have been instrumental in the program’s success. The additional financing is expected to expand the reach and impact of NG-CARES interventions, further strengthening national social protection systems across the country. As one of the flagship programs in the World Bank Nigeria portfolio, NG-CARES has received a “highly satisfactory” performance rating, demonstrating the effectiveness of the collaboration between the Nigerian government and the international community in addressing the country’s development challenges.
