VP Shettima launches innovation drive for indigenous healthcare solutions
By Kunle Sanni
Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched Grand Challenges Nigeria (GCNg), a national innovation program aimed at transforming Nigeria’s healthcare landscape with locally-developed solutions.
Speaking at the launch event on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima emphasized the urgency of the initiative in light of the rapid advancements in science and technology.
He highlighted the importance of tailoring solutions to Nigeria’s unique challenges, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision.
“This initiative is more than a response to problems; it is an avenue to promote groundbreaking research, build local expertise, form strategic partnerships, and engage communities in co-creating culturally relevant solutions,” Shettima said.
The Vice President explained that GCNg would integrate with existing government healthcare programs such as the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Nutrition 774 Program.
Transformative Vision
Shettima described the program as transformative, envisioning a Nigeria where:
Every child has access to proper nutrition.
Families can depend on a robust healthcare system.
Public health metrics improve consistently year after year.
He also announced an immediate call for proposals under the theme “Advancing Innovative Solutions for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health”, highlighting the program’s broader focus on tackling infectious diseases, food security, and climate resilience.
“Our gateway to innovation lies in recognizing our place within the global community. We must believe that our progress is intertwined with the progress of the rest of the world,” he added.
The Vice President reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to supporting innovation and turning aspirations into impactful solutions for the Nigerian people.
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, commended the initiative, stating that it aligns with President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, which uses innovation as a driver of prosperity and growth.
He highlighted GCNg’s role in empowering researchers and innovators while prioritizing investment in education and sustainable projects.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Chike Okafor, praised the government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity and malnutrition. He pledged legislative support for GCNg, emphasizing its potential to complement existing programs.
His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, called for focused efforts and collective actions to address malnutrition and food insecurity. He expressed optimism that GCNg would position Nigerians as frontrunners in finding solutions to national challenges.
Similarly, Professor Salisu Abubakar, President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, lauded the Vice President’s leadership in launching GCNg.
He emphasized that locally-driven solutions could significantly improve health outcomes and pledged the society’s support for inclusive and adaptable approaches.
Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Rochas-Anwulah, noted that the GCNg initiative underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to reforming the economy and ensuring food security.
She further highlighted that the program’s inclusive approach would harness resources and expertise from grassroots stakeholders, reflecting community values and local knowledge.
