Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, has shed light on why Nigeria receives the largest portion of the foundation’s intervention funds in Africa.
According to The PUNCH, speaking during an interview with selected journalists at the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue in Abuja on Tuesday, Gates elaborated on the foundation’s focus.
“We spend a lot in Asia, but we spend even more in Africa. The country where we spend the most in Africa is Nigeria,” Gates stated.
He explained that this prioritization is driven by the country’s significant population and the pressing needs that exist there. “That makes sense because of the population and the incredible needs that are here. That means that I’ve literally spent billions in Nigeria.”
Gates expressed satisfaction with the progress made in reducing child mortality in Nigeria but emphasized that there is still room for improvement.
He highlighted that the foundation remains dedicated to addressing global health disparities and eradicating diseases such as measles, malaria, and polio.
“Our work is almost entirely focused on primary healthcare because the impact per dollar is dramatically greater than anywhere else,” Gates said, underlining the foundation’s commitment to primary healthcare.
In addition to health, Gates pointed out the foundation’s substantial investments in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He stressed the importance of boosting agricultural productivity for the country’s economic growth.
Gates identified key strategies for achieving this goal, including providing access to high-yield, climate-resistant seeds, fertilizers, improved information, and better weather predictions for farmers.
Gates pointed out that these efforts will significantly enhance agricultural production and lower food costs. He also mentioned the foundation’s support for food fortification initiatives, which aim to improve the nutritional quality of staple foods and offer public health benefits.
Gates underscored the importance of making a variety of affordable foods, particularly milk and eggs, accessible to combat malnutrition.
He called for the use of innovative ideas and tools in both the health and agricultural sectors to make a substantial impact on reducing malnutrition in Nigeria.
Since its founding in 2000, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has collaborated with regional institutions, national governments, and local communities across 49 African countries, including Nigeria, to support various initiatives.
