Abasiakan DennyRural development is crucial for Nigerian economic growth and development. With over 60% of the Nigerian population staying in the villages, improving the quality of life for rural dwellers is important. The quality of life in the rural communities can be significantly enhanced through quality investments in healthcare, education, agriculture, etc., However, these communities require more than government assistance. The multifaceted collaboration of different governmental and non-governmental bodies is crucial to achieving this aim. Several grants are available, with funding from governmental and non-governmental corporations to support rural development in Nigeria.
World Bank Development Grants
The World Bank has partnered with several organizations on projects aimed at improving the quality of life for inhabitants of rural communities through provisions of social amenities, improvement of healthcare, agricultural practices, etc.
Nigeria Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP)
This project aims to create a good road network for rural communities to market their agricultural products. The funding amount for RAAMP was $280 million as of 2020.
World Bank CSDP aims to support projects in rural communities such as the construction of schools, healthcare infrastructures, and water. The funding amount is $200,000 million.
African Development Bank (AfDB)
The African Development Bank has been instrumental in funding development in agriculture and infrastructure. The AfDB works through two initiatives:
Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Program Â
The SAPZ creates job opportunities through the development of agricultural hubs. Also, the initiative seeks to boost agricultural production and eradicate losses that are common after harvest. The AfDB SAPZ provides funding up to $210 million.
Nigeria Rural Electrification Project
The AfDB Rural Electrification Project helps to provide rural communities with alternative sources of energy from renewable energy sources, e.g. sun. Wind, etc. They help provide electricity to households and businesses. The funding amount is up to $150 million for the AfDP Rural Electrification Project.
International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD)
The IFAD partners with organisations to improve agricultural production through the provision of technical assistance, financial resources and sustainable agricultural practices that are environmentally friendly.
Value Chain Development Program (VCDP)
The IFAD VCDP assists subsistence farmers in rural areas gain access to improved varieties of seeds, fertilizers and markets for their products. The IFAD VCDP provides funding amounts up to $100 million.
Climate Adaptation and Agribusiness Support Program (CAASP)
Because of the losses that accompany agricultural practices as a result of climate change, the CAASP helps rural farmers navigate unfavourable climatic changes. The initiative provides funding up to $60 million.
Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation Grants
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provides funding for rural development in the areas of agriculture, healthcare and poverty alleviation.
Nigeria Agricultural Transformation Program
The program promotes agricultural practices and production in Nigeria through the organising of training for farmers, the provision of improved varieties of crops that are resistant to climatic changes and the creation of a market for agricultural products. This initiative commits $100 million to this program.
Rural Healthcare Initiative
The initiative assists quality healthcare delivery through the training of healthcare workers, provision of vaccines and medical products and rehabilitation of healthcare facilities. The program has helped to significantly increase healthcare delivery and reduce mortality rates. The program allocates $50 million to support rural healthcare initiatives.
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Grants
The SPDC assists rural communities in the Niger Delta regions of Nigeria.
Shell LiveWIRE Program
This provides funding and training to entrepreneurs in agriculture and renewable energy. It provides networking and mentorship opportunities and seed funding for startups. The SPDC program has committed $1.2 million to the LiveWIRE project in Nigeria.
 Community Development Projects
The SPDC facilitates infrastructure development and provision of basic public services and amenities in rural areas. Rehabilitation of health facilities and schools and the construction of roads are essential to the focus of the SPDC through Community Development Projects. The SPDC allocates $2.4 million to fund these community development programs.
The rural area is of utmost importance in the socio-economic development of Nigeria. Most of the Nigerian population is restricted to the rural communities. Also, the agricultural sector of the country comes primarily from the agro-allied practices in the rural areas. Because of these,the rural areas need development. Several grants are available to foster rural development. However,there are criteria to meet before getting awarded with a grant.
