Entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates announced plans to invest a minimum of $2.8 billion in Nigeria's healthcare, nutrition, and agricultural sectors to stimulate growth.
During the National Economic Council meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Gates emphasized the crucial need to invest in Nigeria's most valuable asset—its people—while addressing the country's economic challenges.
As the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates has demonstrated long-term advocacy for Nigeria, with a commitment totaling over $2.8 billion, the largest of its kind in Africa.
In his address to the NEC, Gates underscored the challenges and opportunities facing Nigeria, particularly amid economic stagnation and mounting national debt.
He stressed the significance of prioritizing primary healthcare, emphasizing that health is fundamental for opportunity. Despite Nigeria's wealth, the country only allocates approximately N3,000 per person annually to primary healthcare, a ratio Gates believes should be reversed. He urged Nigerian leaders to increase funding for primary healthcare and ensure timely disbursement of allocated resources.
Gates commended recent initiatives, such as the successful HPV vaccination campaign that reached over 12 million Nigerian girls in a single month, while emphasizing the need for continual improvement, particularly in data-driven decision-making to optimize healthcare delivery and workforce management.
Regarding nutrition, Gates highlighted the alarming rate of child malnutrition in Nigeria, which contributes to nearly half of all child deaths. He called for increased private-sector involvement in food fortification and urged state governments to ensure compliance with nutritional mandates.
On maternal health, Gates discussed affordable interventions such as the use of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) to prevent cases of anaemia and save newborn lives.
In the agricultural sector, Gates expressed concern over Nigeria's food insecurity, compounded by climate change and poor agricultural practices. He advocated for enhanced funding for extension services, fertilizers, and infrastructure to support farmers. He encouraged the adoption of innovative crop varieties with higher yields and greater resistance to pests, exemplified by the new cassava varieties developed with support from the Gates Foundation.
Gates reaffirmed the Gates Foundation's enduring commitment to Nigeria and Africa. He recognized the challenges in reshaping the country's fortunes but voiced optimism that with strategic investments, innovative thinking, and dedicated leadership, Nigeria could forge a brighter future. Gates concluded by emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the Nigerian people, asserting that Nigeria's leaders hold the key to building a better future.
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