The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), on Tuesday, announced plans to expand its 2021 programme with a N10bn grant split among four Nigerian states of Ogun, Sokoto, Kwara, and Edo in healthcare interventions.

A statement by the initiative quoted Ubon Udoh, its managing director as saying “Since the inception of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative and its US$100m Africa Fund for Social Development, we have identified key development needs in Healthcare, Education and Social Development within Nigeria and the African continent at large, and commenced implementation of some of these projects.

“In addition to this and based on our sub-national healthcare needs assessment, ASR Africa has now decided to commit N2.5bn each to four states within Nigeria – Ogun, Kwara, Sokoto and Edo States,” he added.

This expanded grant, he stressed, will be dedicated towards areas ranging from maternal & child health to health infrastructure, as well as capacity development, amongst others.

As part of enshrining accountability in the programme, Ubon said the initiative “will develop mutual accountability frameworks with the state implementation teams after which 50% of the grant will be disbursed immediately to commence implementation of the projects. The remaining fifty percent will be released in line with agreed delivery milestones.”

Established some months ago, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, the statement said, seeks to support sustainable development initiatives in the Health, Education and Social Development within Nigeria and the rest of Africa, every year.