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Title: World Bank Urges Nigeria to Restore Public Trust Through Better Service Delivery

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The World Bank has issued a compelling call to action for Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African nations, urging governments to focus on rebuilding public trust by improving essential service delivery. This was highlighted in its 2025 Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) report released earlier this month. According to the report, many African citizens have grown increasingly disillusioned with their governments due to poor access to vital services such as education, healthcare, electricity, water supply, and public administration. In Nigeria, these failures are especially visible in underfunded schools, overcrowded hospitals, and unreliable infrastructure. The World Bank noted that while some African countries are making progress in macroeconomic management and social inclusion, the biggest setback remains weak governance. The lack of transparency, inefficiency in public institutions, and a slow response to citizens’ needs have worsened the trust gap between government...
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Empowering Change: dRPC and Ford Foundation Award ₦85 Million to 17 Women-Led NGOs in Nigeria

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In a significant move aimed at strengthening grassroots development and women’s leadership, the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), with support from the Ford Foundation, has awarded a generous ₦85 million grant to 17 women-led non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across Nigeria. This landmark gesture comes at a crucial time, especially as many NGOs are grappling with the impact of drastic funding cuts from global donors like USAID.

Each of the selected NGOs received ₦5 million under the NGO Support Initiative (NSI), a programme designed to boost the operational capacity of local organisations working in sectors like health, education, agriculture, and women empowerment. The grants will help these organisations implement short-term but high-impact projects over a three-month period.

Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja, Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, Executive Director of dRPC, described the funding as a “lifeline” for women-led NGOs struggling to stay afloat. She highlighted how the NSI is not only about financial support, but also about preserving critical services in vulnerable communities.

Dr. Stanley Ukpai, dRPC’s Programme Director, shed light on the urgency of the initiative. He explained that USAID’s termination of over 83% of its global programmes—including thousands of contracts in Nigeria—left a vacuum in healthcare, development, and job creation. The NSI is, therefore, dRPC’s way of bridging that gap and ensuring that vital services continue uninterrupted.

The event also featured training and mentorship sessions led by General Shina Ogunbiyi (retd), who encouraged the beneficiaries to maintain transparency and accountability. He hinted that a second round of grants could be awarded in September to the most impactful projects.

For many of the recipients, like Mrs. Okafor Nkechi from Anambra State, this grant is a dream come true—a timely intervention that will support hundreds of women and families. Through this initiative, dRPC and the Ford Foundation are not just funding projects—they are fuelling hope.

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