At the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Bill Gates stressed the importance of investing in Nigeria’s people to tackle its economic challenges.
As co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates has long advocated for Nigeria, contributing over $2.8 billion, the foundation’s largest investment in Africa.
His address highlighted the need to prioritize primary healthcare, emphasizing that without good health, opportunities would be limited. Gates pointed out that despite Nigeria’s wealth, it spends only N3,000 per person annually on primary healthcare, urging leaders to reverse this trend by increasing funding and ensuring the timely disbursement of resources. He praised the recent HPV vaccination campaign, which reached 12 million Nigerian girls in a month, but called for continuous improvement in healthcare through data-driven decision-making.
Gates also raised concerns about child malnutrition, responsible for nearly half of child deaths in Nigeria, and advocated for private-sector involvement in food fortification and stronger government enforcement of nutrition standards. He further discussed affordable maternal health interventions like multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), which could significantly reduce anaemia and newborn mortality.
Turning to agriculture, Gates expressed concern over Nigeria’s food insecurity, worsened by climate change and poor farming practices. He recommended increased funding for agricultural extension services, fertilisers, and infrastructure, as well as adopting innovative, high-yield crop varieties such as new cassava strains developed with the Gates Foundation’s support.
Gates reaffirmed his foundation’s commitment to Nigeria and Africa, acknowledging the challenges but expressing optimism that with strategic investments, innovative approaches, and dedicated leadership, Nigeria can secure a better future.
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