Bill Gates announces $2.8b investment to boost healthcare, nutrition, agric in Nigeria

• As NEC sets up standing committee on polio eradication, immunization, reviving primary healthcare system

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye , Abuja

 

Bill Gates through his foundation on Wednesday announced a $2.8 billion investment aimed at enhancing the country’s healthcare, nutrition, and agricultural sectors.

Speaking at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he stressed the critical need to invest in Nigeria’s greatest resource, its people, while addressing the economic challenges the country faces.

Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been a long-time advocate for Nigeria, with his foundation’s commitment to the country now totaling over $2.8 billion, the largest of its kind in Africa.

He underlined the importance of prioritizing primary healthcare, noting that without health, “there can be no opportunity,” pointing out that despite Nigeria’s wealth, the country spends just N3,000 per person annually on primary healthcare, a ratio that he argued should be reversed.

Gates urged Nigerian leaders to increase funding for primary healthcare and to ensure timely disbursement of allocated resources.

He also praised recent efforts, such as the successful HPV vaccination campaign that reached over 12 million Nigerian girls in just one month. However, he stressed the need for continuous improvement, particularly in data-driven decision-making to optimize healthcare delivery and workforce management.

Addressing nutrition, Gates highlighted the alarming rate of child malnutrition in Nigeria, which contributes to nearly half of all child deaths.

He called for greater private-sector involvement in food fortification and urged state governments to ensure compliance with nutritional mandates.

Gates also discussed affordable interventions in maternal health, such as the use of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) that could prevent millions of cases of anemia and save thousands of newborn lives.

In the agricultural sector, Gates said he was concern over Nigeria’s food insecurity, exacerbated by climate change and poor agricultural practices.

He advocated for increased funding for extension services, fertilizers, and infrastructure to support farmers.

He also encouraged the adoption of innovative crop varieties with higher yields and greater resistance to pests, such as the new cassava varieties developed with support from the Gates Foundation.

He reaffirmed his Foundation’s long-term commitment to Nigeria and Africa.

He acknowledged the difficulties in turning around the country’s fortunes but expressed optimism that with smart investments, innovative thinking, and dedicated leadership, Nigeria could build a better future.

“By putting the Nigerian people first, Nigeria’s leaders can build a better future,” Gates said., adding: “I still believe in the grand vision of Nigeria’s future, and that future depends on all of you.”

Meanwhile, Shettima has called for a formidable alliance among key players in government at all levels as well as development partners in the bid to wriggle Nigerians out of poverty and enhance the quality of life for all the citizens.

 

According to him, this will not happen if all those involved in the business of governance do not align with one another to create an environment where every Nigerian has the opportunity to thrive.

 

The VP suggested ways to address the immediate needs of the citizens, including building sustainable systems that empower them to become self-reliant and prosperous.

Shettima however acknowledged that even though the problems inherited by the administration of President Bola Tinubu cannot be solved overnight despite the long-term solutions in progress, Nigerians are in urgent need of quick, impactful measures.

“Our commitment to alleviating poverty and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians will never materialize if we do not align with one another. We must strive to create an environment where every Nigerian has the opportunity to thrive.

“This includes not only addressing immediate needs but also building sustainable systems that empower our citizens to become self-reliant and prosperous,” the VP stated.

He commended the efforts of development partners, particularly the co-chairman of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, and chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who were at the NEC meeting, describing them as “two distinguished individuals whose commitment to Nigeria’s progress is unparalleled”

He said they have invested enormous resources into the welfare of Nigerians, spanning critical areas such as health, nutrition, agriculture, and education.

He stated: “Their philanthropy is not seasonal but a steadfast commitment that continues to shape our nation’s future. We did not survive the lowest points of our journey as a nation by the proactivity of the government alone; we did so because we remained partners in rain and sunshine.

 

“So, permit me to once again extend the nation’s deepest gratitude to our guests, whose empathy has always shone through whenever they are needed.

 

“Mr. Gates, in particular, has been a steadfast friend of Nigeria, contributing immensely to our nation’s inclusive economic growth and the well-being of our people in both tumult and tranquility. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has recently approved a significant investment—the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA).

“This initiative, championed by my office and hosted by the Lagos Business School in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group, sets out to revolutionize our cassava industry, an essential pillar of our economy and food security.”

For the state governments, the Vice President said as sub-nationals in the federation, they are all “stakeholders in redefining the future” of Nigeria.

He continued: “We are gathered here because none of us can fulfill the goals of guaranteeing the survival of our people in isolation. Whether by expanding access to quality education, improving healthcare, or offering skills training and job opportunities, it is clear that each one of us has the power to influence policy and decisions at various levels.

“Our success relies on recognizing the socio-economic threats that have pulled us down the development index and, more importantly, on our resolve to walk the talk.”

Underscoring how critical investing in food security is, VP Shettima expressed delight with the efforts and reforms made so far by state governors to boost agriculture.

“However, we must not overlook the state of nutrition in our nation, which has led to stunting and other health challenges. This is a crisis that demands our unified attention and action. The future of this nation hinges on the health and well-being of our children,” he added.

 

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, Ali Pate, said council announced a taskforce to address lingering polio cases in five states, stressing the need for monthly reports on immunization and primary healthcare revitalization efforts, further highlighting the government’s commitment to eradicating polio in Nigeria.

Members of the committee are: Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, DG Primary HealthCare Agency, NEC Secretariat, representatives of UNICEF, WHO, SA to the president on NEC and the representatives of Aliko Dangote Foundation, DG Nigeria Governors Forum.

Pate, emphasized the critical role of nutrition in the country’s human capital development during recent discussions on flooding and food systems. He announced the establishment of a food and nutrition security taskforce at both federal and state levels to combat acute malnutrition and ensure coordinated governance.

He said council highlighted the importance of incorporating nutrition-related budget items in the 2025 fiscal plan, aiming for a multi-sectoral approach to improve child health and cognitive development.

He added that the government is distributing 1.3 million doses of micronutrient supplements to pregnant women, addressing the vital first thousand days of child development.

In collaboration with state governments and development partners, Pate noted efforts to procure therapeutic foods and enhance maternal health. He also reported on a recent visit from Bill Gates, who praised Nigeria’s health initiatives and pledged support for the government’s renewed hope agenda.