Nigeria has secured a $600,000 relief fund from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support victims of devastating floods and aid reforms in the health and agricultural sectors. This announcement was made during a meeting between Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Foundation’s Global Development Programme head, Dr. Christopher Elias, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, stated that the relief fund would expedite flood relief efforts and drive key reforms. The announcement follows the recent establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund by the Federal Government, aimed at enhancing resilience in responding to natural disasters, particularly floods.
Finance Minister Wale Edun noted that the new fund would address the growing threats of climate change, drawing resources from public and private sectors and international donors.
The Gates Foundation’s $600,000 commitment focuses on flood relief in Borno state and health sector initiatives. In addition, a $5 million grant was approved for Lagos Business School and its partners to promote the development of industrial cassava, which is seen as an economic opportunity for Nigeria.
Vice President Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development, stressing the importance of addressing malnutrition and food security through initiatives like the Telemaze programme and Cassava Accelerator. He emphasized the government’s focus on effective leadership and digital transformation to enhance public services.
Dr. Elias expressed the Foundation’s concern over the severe flooding in Borno and pledged continued support, especially in the fight against polio. Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Foundation, outlined plans to boost drought-tolerant maize production and further develop the cassava industry.
The partnership between Nigeria and the Gates Foundation includes broader collaborations, with Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Nigeria Country Office, highlighting a $60 million investment in reproductive health and other sector-wide programmes.
Aliko Dangote, CEO of Dangote Group and co-chair of the Gates Foundation, also met with Vice President Shettima to reaffirm their partnership.
