The NNPC Limited and FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture has launched a new grant programme called ‘Impact FIRST: Heritage’. This programme aims to provide long-term funding and support to Nigerian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have shown great impact, accountability, and good governance.
The first Impact FIRST: Heritage Grant Presentation Ceremony took place on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, in Ikoyi, Lagos. Representatives from NNPC Limited, FIRST E&P, beneficiary organisations, development stakeholders, and the media came together to celebrate this new commitment to social investment.
Impact FIRST: Heritage builds on the earlier Impact FIRST grant programme, which started in 2024. This earlier programme supported innovative NGOs tackling important social issues in Nigeria. Since it began, the programme helped 15 NGOs that together reached over 20,000 people across the country.
Unlike the annual Impact FIRST grant that offered one-time funding to many organisations, Impact FIRST: Heritage is a long-term partnership model. This programme gives multi-year funding to past Impact FIRST beneficiaries that have shown strong governance, measurable social impact, and the ability to carry out their programmes effectively.
After a thorough assessment, five organisations were chosen as the first beneficiaries of the Impact FIRST: Heritage programme. These are The IREDE Foundation, which provides prosthetic limbs for child amputees; Asido Foundation, which helps those with severe mental health issues; Cerebral Palsy Centre, which supports people living with cerebral palsy; Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), which offers eye care and surgeries for underserved groups; and Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), which improves access to emergency healthcare.
Emmanuel Etomi, Executive Director, Corporate Services at FIRST E&P, spoke at the ceremony. He described Impact FIRST: Heritage as an important step in the Joint Venture’s social investment journey. He said, “Today, we celebrate five exceptional organisations whose work continues to improve lives, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable and underserved populations. By providing long-term support to organisations that have already demonstrated strong performance and measurable results, we are helping them scale their impact, strengthen their capacity, and create even greater value for the communities they serve.”
Mr Olanrewaju Igandan, Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), was represented by Usman Mohammed-Bello at the event. He noted that moving from an annual grant to a multi-year framework shows a more strategic approach to social investment. He praised FIRST E&P for this “forward-looking initiative” and promised that NUIMS would continue supporting impactful social value creation that aligns with national development goals.
Pascal Achunine, Executive Director of the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), spoke on behalf of the beneficiary organisations. He thanked the NNPC Limited and FIRST E&P JV for their support and confidence in the organisations. He said, “This investment represents more than funding. It is a vote of confidence in the work being done by organisations across the social sector to improve lives and strengthen communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to deepen our impact and extend our reach to even more beneficiaries.”
Impact FIRST: Heritage shows the NNPC Limited and FIRST E&P JV’s commitment to creating lasting social value. Through this programme, they aim to strengthen effective interventions, expand access to vital services, and support long-term development in healthcare, education, economic empowerment, and community development.
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