In a bid to accelerate relief efforts and drive reforms in Nigeria’s health and agricultural sectors, the Nigerian government has secured a $600,000 fund, along with additional commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This was announced during a meeting between Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and the Gates Foundation’s leadership, led by Dr. Christopher Elias, President of the Foundation’s Global Development Programme, at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Gates Foundation pledged $600,000 for flood relief efforts in Borno State, one of the regions most affected by severe flooding, and for various health sector initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. In addition, the Foundation approved a $5 million grant to the Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava, an initiative poised to boost Nigeria’s economy.
During the meeting, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development as key pillars of Nigeria’s growth agenda. He emphasized the government’s focus on addressing malnutrition and food security challenges, stating, “We are deeply committed to tackling the developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the malnutrition crisis.”
The Vice President also highlighted the importance of initiatives like the Telemaze programme and the Cassava Accelerator programme, which hold immense potential for Nigeria’s agricultural sector. He underscored the government’s dedication to swift action on securing import permits for certified seeds to support food security.
In his remarks, Dr. Elias expressed the Gates Foundation’s concern over the flooding crisis in Borno and reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis. He also commended Nigeria’s efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by the end of the year, pledging continued support for the country’s health sector reforms.
Rodger Voorhies, President of Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Gates Foundation, revealed further plans to scale up drought-tolerant maize production and advance the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme. He emphasized the economic potential of industrial cassava for Nigeria, noting that it presents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity.
The meeting also saw participation from Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Nigeria Country Office at the Gates Foundation, who highlighted ongoing sector-wide collaborations, including a $60 million investment in reproductive health programmes.
Additionally, President and CEO of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who serves as co-chair of the Gates Foundation, paid a courtesy call to Vice President Shettima to discuss further partnerships aimed at improving Nigeria’s development landscape.
With support from global partners like the Gates Foundation, Nigeria remains focused on driving meaningful change to improve the lives of its citizens.
