The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has committed to ensuring the proper and effective use of funds under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, NG-CARES, Programme. This follows the World Bank’s confirmation of the programme’s success in supporting vulnerable households, farmers, and micro and small enterprises across the country.

 

The World Bank’s endorsement of additional financing for the programme was announced at the conclusion of the NGF’s seventh meeting of 2025, which took place at its headquarters on Lake Chad Street, Abuja, from Wednesday night to Thursday morning.

 

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and read by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, confirmed that the additional financing would help provide much-needed relief to vulnerable households nationwide.

 

Previously known as the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme, NG-CARES is a Federal Government initiative supported by the World Bank. It is designed to provide grants, livelihood assistance, and food security support to vulnerable households, farmers, and micro and small enterprises impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and broader economic challenges.

 

The programme operates across Nigeria, with funding and reimbursements tied to the achievement of verified results, ensuring transparency and accountability. The communiqué emphasized, “The Forum received notification from the World Bank confirming the effectiveness of the additional financing for the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme. This allows for continued disbursements to states to support livelihoods, food security, public works, and resilience-building interventions.”

 

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Governors reiterated their commitment to sustaining the programme’s momentum, ensuring timely reporting, and optimizing fund utilization to deliver tangible benefits for vulnerable households.

 

In addition to discussing NG-CARES, the NGF also addressed growing public safety concerns. The Forum vowed to enhance security across states during the 2025 festive season, amid concerns about increased population movements, large public gatherings, and elevated safety risks.

 

The communiqué stated, “The Forum received a communication from the Office of the National Security Adviser urging heightened security preparedness across all states during the 2025 festive season. Governors are committed to strengthening inter-agency coordination, protecting critical infrastructure, and maintaining a visible security presence in identified hotspots to ensure a safe and incident-free festive period nationwide.”

 

Source: Punch