Seventeen women-led NGOs in Nigeria have received a total of ₦85 million in funding support from the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), thanks to backing from the Ford Foundation. Each NGO will receive ₦5 million to execute community development projects over the next three months.

The funding, launched under the NGO Support Initiative (NSI), is designed to help local organisations that lost funding due to cuts from agencies like USAID. This initiative aims to keep their vital work alive despite financial setbacks.

At the award launch event held in Abuja, Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, Executive Director of dRPC, said the grant would help the NGOs continue improving lives in their communities.

“This support is a lifeline. It’s not just about funding — it’s about keeping essential community work going,” said Dr. Walker.
“The selected proposals were excellent, and I urge you to deliver with transparency and impact.”

She explained that the NSI grant is more than just emergency funding — it’s an opportunity for civil society organisations to remain operational, strengthen their internal capacity, and grow their impact at the grassroots level.

Capacity Support and Mentorship

Retired General Shina Ogunbiyi, one of the programme mentors, praised dRPC and the Gates Foundation for building a support structure through the PACFaH@scale project, which has already developed the capacity of several NGOs.

He noted that the new awardees would receive mentorship and training to help them implement their projects successfully.

“Your transparency and performance on this project will pave the way for others,” Ogunbiyi told the grantees, adding that a second round of funding is expected in September.

Why This Matters

As funding from international donors shrinks, many local NGOs — especially women-led ones — are struggling to keep projects running. The NSI grant fills that gap, ensuring that critical work in areas like health, education, gender equality, and livelihoods can continue.

By empowering these 17 organisations, the dRPC and Ford Foundation are investing in local solutions for local problems, and giving a new lease of life to community-driven development across Nigeria.

🌍 Takeaway:
This grant isn’t just about money — it’s about hope, resilience, and the power of local action. These 17 NGOs now have the chance to keep making a difference, and their success could open doors for many more to follow.