Expert Advocates Regular Training for NGOs, FBO Managers, Seeks Government Collaboration on Grant Management

A capacity-building expert and Convener of the Master Coach Hub, Yunus Salahudeen, has called on government at all levels to partner with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) to enhance effective management of human and financial resources, particularly donor-funded grants.

Salahudeen made the call at a one-day coaching and mentoring workshop organised by Master Coach Hub in Abuja for managers of NGOs, FBOs, schools and children’s homes.

He said regular training and mentorship were necessary to equip managers with the skills required for effective service delivery, institutional sustainability and accountability in grant administration.

Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of the FCT Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), Obinna Okafor, represented by Benjamin Philemon, described the workshop as timely and relevant.

According to him, institutions, NGOs, faith-based organisations and community groups must continue to build resilience, strengthen partnerships and adopt innovative approaches to sustainable development and service delivery.

Okafor stated that since its establishment in 2013 by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the FCT-CSDP had remained committed to improving the living conditions of poor and vulnerable communities across the six Area Councils of the FCT through a Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.

He explained that with support from the World Bank under programmes such as CSDP 1.0, CSDP Additional Financing and NG-CARES 1.0, the project had successfully implemented more than 350 micro-projects across sectors including education, healthcare, water supply and rural infrastructure.

Also speaking, a representative of the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Mercy Abdullahi, said the workshop provided an important platform for institutions to strengthen their capacity to survive economic shocks and sustain operations.

She noted that the NG-CARES Programme was established to build resilience and support economic recovery through livelihood grants, social transfer interventions, labour-intensive public works, employment opportunities, agricultural support, food security initiatives and local economic recovery programmes.

Abdullahi urged participants to leverage opportunities through collaboration with development partners, participation in community-driven development interventions and access to social protection programmes where eligible.

In her goodwill message, the Director of the FCT Education Resource Centre (ERC), Neemat Daud Abdulrahim, represented by Garba A. Abubakar, said the economic challenges facing organisations in sourcing financial support were global in nature and required innovative solutions.

She commended Master Coach Hub for organising the stakeholder workshop, noting that it provided a platform for participants to share ideas and strategies for sourcing financial, human and material resources needed to sustain institutional growth.

Abdulrahim further highlighted the ERC’s collaboration with private Information Technology companies, particularly Access Solutions Ltd, which she said had improved examination administration processes through digital solutions.

According to her, tasks previously carried out manually, including result compilation, posting and analysis, had become more efficient through strategic partnerships backed by proper legal frameworks and operational guidelines.

She reiterated the ERC’s appreciation to the organisers for their commitment to coaching, mentorship and institutional support aimed at strengthening organisations for sustainable development.