The NNPC Limited/FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (JV) has launched ‘Impact FIRST: Heritage’, a new multi-year grant programme designed to provide sustained funding and long-term partnership support to outstanding Nigerian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have demonstrated exceptional impact, accountability, and governance.
https://www.digital.zenithbank.com/ZEQ/ZEQ-jan-2026/index.html#p=1The inaugural Impact FIRST: Heritage Grant Presentation Ceremony was held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing together representatives of the NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P JV, beneficiary organisations, development stakeholders, and members of the media to mark a new chapter in the JV’s commitment to sustainable social investment.
Impact FIRST: Heritage builds on the success of the flagship Impact FIRST grant programme, which was launched in 2024 to support innovative and impactful NGOs addressing critical social challenges across Nigeria. Since inception, the programme has provided support to 15 NGOs whose interventions have positively impacted more than 20,000 beneficiaries across the country.
Unlike the annual Impact FIRST grant programme, which provides one-off funding support to a broad pool of eligible organisations, Impact FIRST: Heritage is designed as a long-term partnership model. The programme provides multi-year funding to previous Impact FIRST beneficiaries that have demonstrated strong institutional governance, measurable social impact, sustainable programme delivery, and the capacity to scale their interventions responsibly.
Following a rigorous assessment process, five organisations were selected as the inaugural beneficiaries of the Impact FIRST: Heritage programme including The IREDE Foundation, which provides prosthetic limbs and support services for child amputees; Asido Foundation, which supports the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals living with severe mental health conditions; Cerebral Palsy Centre, which provides long-term care and support services for persons living with cerebral palsy; Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), which delivers eye care interventions and sight-restoring surgeries for underserved populations and Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), which expands access to emergency healthcare services and supports first-responder capacity development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Emmanuel Etomi, Executive Director, Corporate Services, FIRST E&P, described Impact FIRST: Heritage as an important evolution of the Joint Venture’s social investment journey. “Today, we celebrate five exceptional organisations whose work continue 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.” he said.
In his address, Mr. Olanrewaju Igandan, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), who was represented by Usman Mohammed-Bello, Advisor, Community Relations, NUIMS at the event said the transition from an annual, corporate giving programme to a multi-year grant framework reflects a mature, strategic approach to social investment that aligns with the imperatives of sustainable development. Whilst appreciating FIRST E&P for what he termed a “forward looking initiative”, he further pledged NUIMS commitment to sustaining the collaborative journey towards impactful social value creation that aligns with national development priorities.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiary organisations, Pascal Achunine, Executive Director of the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), expressed appreciation to the NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P JV for the support and confidence reposed in the selected organisations. He remarked that, “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 underscores the NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P JV’s commitment to creating sustainable social value through strategic partnerships with organisations that have demonstrated the ability to deliver measurable and lasting change. Through the programme, the JV aims to strengthen proven interventions, expand access to critical services, and support long-term development outcomes across healthcare, education, economic empowerment, and community development.
