- He highlighted that Nigeria spends only N3,000 per person annually on healthcare, a ratio he said must be improved
Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has announced a $2.8 billion investment to improve Nigeria’s healthcare, nutrition, and agricultural sectors.
Speaking at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Gates emphasized the need to invest in Nigeria’s greatest asset—its people—while addressing the country’s economic challenges.
Gates, alongside Aliko Dangote, stressed the importance of primary healthcare, urging Nigerian leaders to increase funding and ensure timely disbursement of resources.
He highlighted that Nigeria spends only N3,000 per person annually on healthcare, a ratio he said must be improved. Gates also praised recent successes like the HPV vaccination campaign but called for better data-driven decision-making to optimize healthcare.
On nutrition, Gates pointed to high rates of child malnutrition contributing to half of all child deaths and called for private-sector engagement in food fortification. He also urged state governments to ensure compliance with nutrition mandates.
In the agricultural sector, Gates voiced concern over food insecurity, worsened by climate change and poor farming practices. He advocated for increased funding for farmers and the adoption of innovative crop varieties to improve yields and resilience.