The Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) has opened applications for a second round of its NGO Support Initiative (NSI). This initiative offers free executive training to Nigerian civil society organisations, foundations, and other social-impact groups.
The eight-week virtual program will run from 20 October to 19 December 2026. It aims to improve organisational management, resilience, philanthropy, and sustainable funding for local organisations.
This initiative is in partnership with Leiden University in the Netherlands, Dangote Business School, and the Centre for Entrepreneurship Research and Training (CERT) at Bayero University, Kano.
This program comes at a time when there are worries about the sustainability of Nigerian civil society organisations. This is due to cuts in international development aid and stricter rules for non-profit organisations.
In 2025, PREMIUM TIMES reported that dRPC started the first round of the NSI to help Nigerian NGOs hit hard by funding cuts. This was mainly due to the US government stopping several foreign assistance programs.
The first round received 495 applications, and 17 organisations got N5 million each to carry out projects affected by the funding cuts. These projects included areas like maternal health, girls’ education, digital skills for youth, and humanitarian aid.
The funding problems for Nigerian NGOs have continued even after the initial cuts to USAID-funded programs.
In a February 2026 opinion piece in PREMIUM TIMES, Judith-Ann Walker, the executive director and founding member of dRPC, said Nigerian NGOs were starting 2026 with fewer grant chances. They would need to seek new funders, partnerships, and alternative funding ways.
She stated that the withdrawal of USAID support had impacted groups working in youth entrepreneurship, climate justice, public health advocacy, school safety, zero-dose children, and human rights. Some organisations had to close programs, offices, and let staff go.
PREMIUM TIMES also reported in June 2025 that NGOs dealing with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria were calling for stronger local funding to lessen reliance on foreign donors.
At that time, stakeholders argued that Nigeria could not depend forever on the government and foreign donors for important development work. This is especially true as international donors rethink their aid commitments.
The dRPC’s second-round program addresses some of these worries. One training stream will focus on organisational resilience, sustainable funding strategies, and working with the government to expand programs.
This training comes as Nigerian non-profits face more scrutiny of their operations and funding.
In July, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Nigeria Network of NGOs urged groups to treat regulatory compliance as a priority. This includes keeping registrations, annual returns, tax filings, and other legal duties up to date.
The issue has gained attention since the proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill was introduced. It aims to require NGOs to register foreign aid and donor-funded projects with the government.
The bill passed its second reading in the Senate in July, leading to discussions about transparency, accountability, and the possible effects of more regulations on civic space.
In September, a coalition of civil society organisations called for the bill's withdrawal, saying it could limit civic space and give the government too much power over organisations based on their funding sources.
In this context, dRPC said its second-round training will include a module on complying with the regulatory environment. Other topics will cover project management, accountability, talent development, organisational visibility, and sustainable funding.
The first stream is an eight-week Senior Executive Training Programme on NGO Management for Project Impact and Organisational Resilience. It targets 20 registered and compliant Nigerian CSOs with active grants.
These organisations should be involved in areas like technical and vocational education, girls’ education, public health, the digital economy, climate action, and humanitarian assistance.
Each organisation is expected to send two representatives, such as founders, project directors, or gender leads.
The second stream aims to professionalise local philanthropy, strengthen charitable foundations, and enhance corporate social responsibility.
This stream is open to 20 Nigerian foundations, charitable associations, alumni organisations, and CSR units of commercial entities with active charitable work supporting non-profits.
Participants will learn about social entrepreneurship, sustainable financing, financial and strategic management, taxation, regulatory compliance, monitoring, and impact reporting.
dRPC stated that participants who finish either program will receive certificates signed by dRPC, Leiden University, Dangote Business School, and CERT.
This training is free, and successful applicants won’t have to pay any fees or other costs. Applications for either stream close on 15 October 2026.
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