The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has promised pledges and a $600,000 relief money to the Nigerian government. On the fringes of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Vice President Kashim Shettima met with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, led by Dr. Christopher Elias, the organization’s head of the Global Development Programme, and announced the donation.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed in a statement he signed on Thursday that the purpose of the relief fund is to “hasten relief efforts for victims of the devastating floods, as well as for health and agricultural sectors’ reforms.” “Nigeria secures $600,000 for flood relief, health, and agric sectors’ reforms,” reads the announcement.
Days prior, the Federal Government announced the creation of a Disaster Relief Fund, claiming that this would allow it to “build greater resilience” in the country’s ability to avoid and respond to natural catastrophes, particularly floods. The fund was announced on Monday by Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. He stated that the DRF would combine funding from various public and private sector entities as well as foreign donors to address the particular risks presented by climate change.
More specifically, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation granted a $5 million grant for Lagos Business School and collaborators to study the agricultural economics of industrial cassava, in addition to their $600,000 contribution for flood assistance in Borno State and other health sector projects.
Shettima reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s dedication to elevating agriculture development, nutrition, and health to the top of the national agenda. He declared, “We are deeply committed to addressing the significant malnutrition crisis and other pressing developmental challenges facing our nation.” He emphasized the commitment of the Nigerian government to honesty and capable leadership in addressing these problems, highlighting the pressing need to find sites for maize production under the Telemaze initiative.
“We recognize the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development,” the vice president stated, promising quick action on import permits for verified seeds. Particularly, the cassava accelerator program has enormous potential for our economy.
The VP reiterated the administration’s focus and commitment to digital transformation, saying, “We believe that digitisation and data exchange systems, which we are pursuing throughout the government, will revolutionise our public services.” Shettima also reaffirmed her conviction that Nigeria is still capable of “driving meaningful change and improving the lives of all Nigerians,” “with the expertise” of its ministries and “the ongoing support of partners like the Gates Foundation.”
Dr. Christopher Elias, President of the Gates Foundation’s Global Development Program, expressed his concern about the devastating floods in Borno and stated that the organization is “committed to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis.” Additionally, the Foundation promised to assist Nigeria’s health sector reforms, especially with regard to the fight against polio. Elias said of the national task team, “We’re impressed by their efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by year-end.”
Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at Bill & Melinda, also presented strategies for boosting the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator initiative and increasing the production of drought-tolerant maize. He revealed that Lagos Business School and its partners had been granted a $5 million grant to advance the agricultural economics of industrial cassava. Voorhies stated, “Industrial cassava presents a multi-billion dollar opportunity for Nigeria.” He asked for permission to import 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed so that the nation could establish a foundational seed system.
Uche Amaonwu, the Director of the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria Country Office, expressed gratitude for the continued partnership on his side and specifically mentioned a $60 million investment in sector-wide initiatives and partnerships on reproductive health concerns.
