The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $600,000 relief fund and additional commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to bolster flood relief efforts and advance reforms in the health and agriculture sectors.
The Gates Foundation pledged the $600,000 specifically for flood relief in Borno State, along with support for health initiatives. Additionally, a $5 million grant has been approved for Lagos Business School and its partners to focus on the agricultural economics of industrial cassava production.
This announcement was made following a meeting between Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the leadership of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, led by Dr. Christopher Elias, during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Vice President Shettima reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling key developmental challenges, particularly malnutrition, while emphasizing the importance of food security and agricultural growth. He also highlighted efforts to accelerate maize production under the Telemaze programme and stressed the importance of securing permits for certified seeds.
Shettima expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to drive positive change through collaboration with international partners and the expertise of government officials, especially in the areas of digital transformation and public service modernization.
Dr. Elias, the President of the Gates Foundation’s Global Development Programme, acknowledged the severe flooding in Borno and expressed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria during such crises. He also commended Nigeria’s efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by the end of the year.
Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Gates Foundation, outlined plans to scale up drought-tolerant maize production and advance the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme. He noted that industrial cassava holds significant economic potential for Nigeria, representing a multi-billion-dollar opportunity.
The Gates Foundation has also committed $60 million towards various sector-wide programmes, including collaborations on reproductive health.
Notably, Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of the Dangote Group and co-chair of the Gates Foundation, also paid a courtesy visit to Vice President Shettima during the event.
