Governors pledge NG-CARES oversight as the World Bank confirms additional financing to support vulnerable households nationwide
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Thursday pledged to ensure the transparent and effective utilisation of funds under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme, following confirmation by the World Bank that additional financing for the programme has become effective.
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The pledge was announced in Abuja at the end of the Forum’s seventh meeting of 2025, held at its headquarters on Lake Chad Street from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
The communiqué, signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, was read to journalists by the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun.
According to the communiqué, the World Bank’s confirmation of additional financing will enable continued disbursements to states to support vulnerable households, farmers, and micro and small enterprises across the country.
The Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme, known as NG-CARES, is a Federal Government initiative supported by the World Bank to provide grants, livelihood assistance, food security support, and public works opportunities to Nigerians affected by COVID-19 and wider economic shocks.
Governors said the programme, which is implemented nationwide, relies on result-based financing, with reimbursements tied to independently verified outcomes.
“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,” the communiqué stated.
“This enables continued disbursements to states to support livelihoods, food security, public works, and resilience-building interventions.”
The governors reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining implementation momentum, ensuring timely reporting, and maximising fund utilisation to deliver measurable and lasting outcomes for vulnerable households.
Beyond NG-CARES, the Forum also resolved to strengthen security across all states during the 2025 festive season, citing increased travel, public gatherings, and heightened public safety risks.
Governors said they would intensify inter-agency coordination, protect critical infrastructure, and maintain a visible security presence in identified hotspots to ensure a safe and peaceful festive period nationwide.
The meeting further reviewed the outcome of the third edition of the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Awards, held on December 12, 2025.
According to the communiqué, Yobe State emerged as the national overall winner, while Zamfara, Nasarawa, Abia, Rivers, and Osun states topped their respective geopolitical zones.
Kwara, Gombe, Kaduna, Anambra, Bayelsa, and Ogun states were named first runners-up.
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The governors described the results as a powerful reflection of sustained political leadership and peer accountability, pledging to build on the gains to further strengthen primary health care delivery across Nigeria.
