With more than 50,000 confirmed cases and counting, COVID-19 has created a health and socio-economic emergency in Nigeria.
Given that Nigeria’s health sector has been historically under-funded, unemployment is at a record high, and a recession is looming, urgent critical support is needed to support vulnerable groups, build resilient health care systems, and prepare the country’s young people for a post-COVID-19 Nigeria.
That is why Global Citizen, in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), has established the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), a funding vehicle for Nigerians by Nigerians.
The goal is to enable corporations, institutions, and individuals around the world to directly support the NSSF’s work and raise US$50 million (20 billion Naira) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, protect Nigerians from future pandemic level-events, and build back a stronger economy for a post-COVID-19 era.
These funds will be committed to supporting vulnerable groups, building resilient health care systems, and re-skilling the Nigerian youth as the country looks to a COVID-free future.
Here are four ways that you can take action to support the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund now.
1. Donate to the fund.
You can support the NSSF Fund by making a donation on the website. Your donations will support initiatives that focus on supporting Nigeria’s vulnerable groups, building resilient health care systems, and providing skills training to Nigeria's young people.
2. Raise awareness.
You can spread the word about the NSSF across social media and on WhatsApp — the Fund needs your help to amplify its message and ultimately improve the lives of many Nigerians. You can also follow the NSSF on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
3. Show your support.
Become an advocate of the NSSF mission and take a pledge to assist the Fund in achieving its goals. You can find out more, and take the pledge, here.
4. Call on corporations.
Corporate organisations are critical for achieving the NSSF’s mission to change Nigerian lives. If you are in a position to help, or you know organisations that might be interested, you can reach out via the NSSF website.
The NSSF is well-positioned to support the national response across all 36 states of Nigeria, and is working with the NSIA, public health experts, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), government across all levels, and private sector experts to ensure the Fund delivers impact on its mission. You can find out more about how the Fund's impact will be tracked and reported here.
Join the mission to protect Nigeria’s future and help millions of people get through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund, visit the website or follow the Fund’s activities on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Learn more about COVID-19 and its social and economic impacts, as well as the global response, through Global Citizen’s COVID-19 coverage here.