Nigeria secures $600,000 for flood relief, health, agriculture reforms
By Kunle Sanni
The Nigerian government has secured $600,000 in relief funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support flood victims and advance health and agriculture reforms.
The announcement was made during a meeting between Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and representatives from the Gates Foundation’s Global Development Programme, led by Dr. Christopher Elias. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In addition, the Foundation has committed an extra $5 million to boost agricultural development, with a particular focus on the industrial cassava sector.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the government’s dedication to addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges.
“We are deeply committed to tackling critical developmental issues, especially the significant malnutrition crisis,” Shettima said, emphasizing the government’s focus on health, nutrition, and food security. He also pointed to initiatives such as the Cassava Accelerator Programme as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Vice President further promised swift action on import permits for certified seeds, underscoring the importance of industrial agricultural development in Nigeria’s economic future.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to digitize public services, which he said would revolutionize service delivery across various sectors.
Dr. Christopher Elias, representing the Gates Foundation, reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria, particularly in response to the devastating floods in Borno State. He expressed optimism that Nigeria is on track to eliminate polioviruses by the end of the year.
Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Gates Foundation, outlined plans to expand drought-tolerant maize production and further enhance the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator Programme.
He announced a $5 million grant to Lagos Business School and its partners to advance the economics of industrial cassava, describing it as a “multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Nigeria.”
In addition, the Foundation requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to strengthen Nigeria’s seed system and agricultural resilience.
Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Gates Foundation Nigeria Country Office, emphasized the ongoing collaboration with Nigeria, highlighting a $60 million investment in reproductive health programmes aimed at improving outcomes across the country.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, also attended the meeting and paid a courtesy visit to Vice President Shettima.
