The Nigerian government has secured a $600,000 relief fund and additional commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aimed at addressing flood relief, health initiatives, and agricultural development. The announcement was made during a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Foundation’s representatives, led by Dr. Christopher Elias, head of the Global Development Programme, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Foundation pledged $600,000 specifically for flood relief in Borno State, which has been severely affected by flooding. In addition, a $5 million grant was approved for the Lagos Business School and its partners to advance the agricultural economics of industrial cassava, a key sector in Nigeria’s agricultural industry.
#### Health, Nutrition, and Agriculture: Key Priorities
Vice President Shettima emphasized the administration’s focus on addressing malnutrition and advancing health and agricultural reforms. He reiterated that the government is committed to enhancing food security and expanding industrial agriculture through programs like the **Cassava Accelerator**.
“We recognize the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development,” Shettima said, highlighting the potential economic impact of the cassava industry. He also noted ongoing efforts to secure maize production sites under the **Telemaze Programme**, promising swift action on import permits for certified seeds to further food security efforts.
#### Digital Transformation and Governance
The Vice President also pointed to the government’s dedication to digital transformation, noting that the administration is adopting a whole-of-government approach to improving public services through digitization and data exchange systems. He expressed confidence that with the continued support of partners like the Gates Foundation, Nigeria can drive meaningful change across multiple sectors.
#### Gates Foundation’s Continued Support
Dr. Christopher Elias expressed the Foundation’s concern about the severe flooding in Borno and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis. He highlighted the Foundation’s focus on health reforms, particularly in polio eradication, stating, “We’re impressed by the national task force’s efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by year-end.”
Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, discussed plans to scale up drought-tolerant maize production and further expand the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme. Voorhies disclosed that the $5 million grant would help develop Nigeria’s industrial cassava sector, which presents significant economic opportunities.
He also requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to establish a robust foundation seed system in Nigeria, which would support the country’s broader agricultural reforms.
The partnership between Nigeria and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation marks a significant step in addressing key developmental challenges, including flood relief, health sector reforms, and agricultural advancement. With ongoing collaboration, the government hopes to implement transformative changes that will boost the economy and improve the livelihoods of Nigerians.
Discussion about this post