The Federal Government through the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in partnership with the Global citizen has launched a solidarity support fund to aid the fight against COVID-19 in the country.

The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund to provide immediate support in the country’s response to COVID-19.

The fund is looking to raise
$50 million for the country’s coronavirus relief efforts.

The fund will play an important part in tackling COVID-19 in Nigeria by helping the government track and treat cases and improving
access to healthcare.

“The government of Nigeria is delighted NSIA, together with the world’s leading international advocacy organisation, Global Citizen, and their partners, have embarked on a process to set up a new funding vehicle,”

 said Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

In addition to Global Citizen Nigeria, NSIA, and Vice President Osinbajo, the fund will be supported by stakeholders in the public and private sectors, as well as
 
Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire,
 
Minister of Finance Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed,
and
Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama.

It’s also supported by

 Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,
 Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum 

Aminu Waziri Tambuwa, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,
Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria Jens-Peter Kjemprud,
 
philanthropists, and Nigerians in the diaspora.

The fund is looking to raise $50 million (19.5 billion Naira)
to support critical COVID-19 relief efforts in Nigeria. Given the country’s historically under-funded health system, the overall need in Nigeria is expected to be far greater.

The Solidarity Support Fund hopes to raise donations of $13 million (N5 billion) from Nigerians in the country as well as in the diaspora; $20 million (N7.7 billion) from multilateral organisations; $10 million (N3.9 billion) from philanthropists; and a further $10 million from international businesses.

“Global Citizen will mobilise Nigerians, Nigerians in the diaspora, global partners, together with the philanthropic and private sectors in our nation’s fight
against COVID-19,”
said Tunde Folawiyo, chairman at Global Citizen Nigeria.

COVID-19’s impact goes far beyond the health sector and, as such, the response to the pandemic needs to cut across numerous sectors. To effectively support Nigeria’s response, efforts must be integrated, and must centre the most vulnerable communities to ensure that no one is left behind.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, vice-chairman at Global Citizen Nigeria, explained:

“Our efforts must ensure that we are able to envision and meet the demands that will emerge in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.”