Building Capacity of Nigerian Law Enforcement Explosive Ordinance Management | INL24CA0059 AMENIGERIA EXPLOSIVESMGMT 04

Opportunity Information: Apply for INL24CA0059 AMENIGERIA EXPLOSIVESMGMT 04

The grant opportunity, titled Building Capacity of Nigerian Law Enforcement Explosive Ordinance Management (Funding Opportunity Number INL24CA0059), is a U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) program aimed at strengthening Nigeria's ability to safely manage, store, and respond to explosive threats. It is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement under the Law, Justice, and Legal Services category (CFDA 19.704). The overall purpose is to improve operational capability within Nigerian law enforcement units that handle explosive ordnance disposal, especially as Nigeria continues to face serious security pressures from terrorism, insurgency, and transnational organized crime.

The opportunity is framed around Nigeria's strategic importance as Africa's largest economy and most populous country, and as a key regional political actor and U.S. partner. The need for the program is driven by a persistent and evolving threat landscape: Boko Haram and Islamic State-West Africa activity, multiple regional insurgencies (including in the Niger Delta), widespread kidnapping and banditry in the North West and Middle Belt, and broader criminal violence that includes the use of explosives and incendiary devices. A major emphasis is placed on the humanitarian and public safety toll of explosive hazards. The notice highlights that since 2016, more than 2,000 civilians have been affected by explosive remnants, placing Nigeria among the countries with the highest rates of improvised explosive device incidents worldwide. It also points to long-term legacy risks, particularly in the Southeast where unexploded munitions from the 1967-1970 civil war may still be present and could be exploited by separatist groups.

The grant is intended to build capacity primarily for the Nigerian agencies tasked with responding to and clearing explosive threats, especially the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (EOD-CBRN) command, which is described as having about 1,800 members, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) EOD team, described as having about 200 members. While these units are central to national response efforts, the notice identifies several practical gaps that limit their effectiveness. These include inadequate infrastructure for safe storage of recovered items (such as recovered IED components and unexploded ordnance), inconsistent or insufficient standardized training aligned to international norms, and shortfalls in equipment. The notice also flags procedural and institutional weaknesses, like improper storage practices and non-adherence to international standards, as well as a loss of institutional knowledge as experienced personnel retire, leaving capability gaps that are difficult to replace quickly.

In practical terms, the program is designed to support improvements that would make explosive ordnance management safer and more consistent, which has implications both for immediate incident response and for longer-term stabilization and recovery in affected regions. By targeting storage, training, standards compliance, and operational readiness, the effort is positioned to reduce civilian harm, improve the safety and professionalism of EOD responses, and help Nigerian institutions better manage explosive risks that can destabilize communities and undermine governance.

Funding for the award has a ceiling of $400,000, and the agency anticipates making one award. The original closing date for applications was June 25, 2024, and the opportunity was created on April 23, 2024. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, U.S.-based educational institutions that qualify under relevant U.S. tax code provisions (including 501(c)(3) and certain public institutions covered under 26 U.S.C. 115), and foreign-based nonprofit/NGO applicants. In addition to meeting organizational eligibility, applicants must demonstrate prior experience across multiple projects involving explosive ordnance disposal work in a law enforcement and/or military context, which signals that INL is looking for implementers with a proven operational track record and the ability to deliver specialized technical assistance in high-risk environments.

• The Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Building Capacity of Nigerian Law Enforcement Explosive Ordinance Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.704.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for INL24CA0059 AMENIGERIA EXPLOSIVESMGMT 04

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: