NNPC, FIRST E&P launch multi-year grant for Nigerian NGOs
By Aboki Forex —
The NNPC Limited/FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture has launched a new grant programme called Impact FIRST: Heritage to support Nigerian NGOs delivering social impact. Five organisations received the inaugural grants at a ceremony in Ikoyi, Lagos.
From annual to multi-year funding
Impact FIRST: Heritage builds on the earlier Impact FIRST programme launched in 2024. That scheme supported 15 organisations and reached more than 20,000 beneficiaries across Nigeria.
The new programme shifts from one-off annual grants to multi-year funding for NGOs that have already shown strong governance, accountability and results. The aim is to help them strengthen institutional capacity, expand proven interventions and achieve greater impact over time.
The first five beneficiaries
The selected organisations were chosen after a rigorous assessment process. They are:
The IREDE Foundation, which provides prosthetic limbs and support services for child amputees; Asido Foundation, which supports rehabilitation and reintegration of people living with severe mental health conditions; and Cerebral Palsy Centre, which provides long-term care for people with cerebral palsy.
Also selected are the Health and Development Support Programme, known for eye-care interventions and sight-restoring surgeries for underserved communities, and the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), which expands access to emergency healthcare and supports first-responder capacity development.
What the partners say
Emmanuel Etomi, Executive Director, Corporate Services at FIRST E&P, described the programme as an important evolution in the Joint Venture's social investment strategy. He said it would enable organisations with proven results to scale their work and create greater value for vulnerable and underserved communities.
Olanrewaju Igandan, Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), was represented by Usman Mohammed-Bello, Advisor, Community Relations. Mohammed-Bello said the shift from annual corporate giving to multi-year funding reflects a more strategic approach to social investment. He commended FIRST E&P and reaffirmed NUIMS' commitment to collaborative efforts supporting national development priorities.
Speaking for the beneficiaries, HEI Executive Director Pascal Achunine thanked the Joint Venture. He said the grant represents more than funding, and described it as a vote of confidence in organisations working across Nigeria's social sector.
Through Impact FIRST: Heritage, the Joint Venture aims to strengthen proven interventions and expand access to critical services in healthcare, education, economic empowerment and community development.