The National Coordinator of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, NG-CARES, Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, has said that the additional financing of 500 million dollars approved by the World Bank will further strengthen efforts by governments at all levels to build economic resilience among poor and vulnerable households, smallholder farmers and small businesses affected by economic shocks in Nigeria.
Dr Obaje made this known following the World Bank’s declaration of the effectiveness of the additional financing for the NG-CARES Programme. According to him, the confirmation was contained in an official communication dated December 9, 2025, which indicated that all conditions required for the financing to take effect had been fully met.
He described the development as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the area of expanding social protection and economic support for Nigerians facing economic hardship. He said the additional funding would help scale up interventions already being implemented under the NG-CARES programme across states and the Federal Capital Territory.
NG-CARES was introduced as a response to economic shocks, including those linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and other macroeconomic challenges, with a focus on protecting livelihoods and supporting recovery at the community level. The programme targets poor and vulnerable households, smallholder farmers, informal workers and micro, small and medium enterprises through a range of social and economic support measures.
Dr Obaje explained that with the effectiveness of the additional financing, states and the FCT are now in a position to commence full implementation of NG-CARES activities under the new funding window. He said this includes funding key Delivery Platforms and State CARES Coordination Units, noting that such expenditures are eligible for reimbursement after verification by an Independent Verification Agent, IVA.
According to him, this results-based financing structure is designed to promote transparency, accountability and efficient use of funds. He added that the approach also encourages states to deliver measurable results before accessing reimbursements, which helps strengthen programme credibility and impact.
The National Coordinator reaffirmed that the Federal CARES Support Unit, FCSU, will continue to provide technical support, guidance and oversight to all participating states and implementing agencies. He said the role of the FCSU is critical to ensuring smooth rollout of programme activities and strict adherence to agreed standards, safeguards and operational guidelines.
Dr Obaje noted that the additional World Bank financing will further catalyse sub-national governments to deepen and sustain investments in social protection, food security and local economic recovery. He said the funds would help scale up interventions aimed at cushioning the impact of inflation, income losses and other economic pressures on vulnerable populations.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the achievements recorded under the NG-CARES programme so far. According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda has provided strong policy backing for programmes that prioritise social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic resilience.
In addition, Dr Obaje acknowledged the leadership and guidance of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. He said the minister’s support and coordination have played a significant role in the progress and results recorded under NG-CARES since its implementation began.
The World Bank-supported programme is implemented at the state level, with each participating state selecting interventions that align with its local development priorities. These interventions cut across areas such as public works, agricultural support, livelihood grants, food security, support for small businesses and strengthening of social safety nets.
NG-CARES is regarded as one of the flagship programmes in the World Bank’s Nigeria portfolio. According to programme officials, it has earned a highly satisfactory performance rating based on implementation progress, results delivery and compliance with fiduciary and environmental standards.
Stakeholders say the additional 500 million dollars in financing comes at a critical time, as many households and small businesses continue to face pressure from rising living costs, reduced purchasing power and climate-related challenges. They note that strengthening community-level resilience is essential for inclusive economic recovery and long-term stability.
While implementation responsibilities rest largely with state governments, the Federal Government plays a coordinating and oversight role to ensure alignment with national development priorities. Observers say continued collaboration between federal, state and local institutions will be key to maximising the impact of the additional funding.
As states begin to roll out activities under the new financing phase, attention is expected to focus on the speed of implementation, quality of delivery and the ability of interventions to reach intended beneficiaries. Programme managers say lessons from earlier phases of NG-CARES will be used to improve targeting, monitoring and accountability.
With the World Bank’s continued support and renewed commitment from government authorities, NG-CARES is expected to remain a central pillar of Nigeria’s social protection and economic recovery efforts, especially for communities most exposed to economic shocks.
