79th UNGA: Nigeria receives a $600,000 relief fund from the Gates Foundation.

The Nigerian government has secured a $600,000 relief fund from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to aid flood victims and enhance health and agriculture sectors.

During a meeting at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the Foundation’s pledge of $600,000 for flood relief in Borno State, along with additional health initiatives. They also committed a $5 million grant to the Lagos Business School to improve the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.

Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development in the nation’s agenda.

Vice President Shettima stated, “We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis.”

He emphasized that the Nigerian government remains dedicated to integrity and effective leadership in tackling these issues, pointing out the urgent need to secure locations for maize production under the Telemaze program.

Promising swift action on import permits for certified seeds, Shettima said, “We recognize the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development. The Cassava Accelerator program, in particular, holds immense potential for our economy.”

“We are pursuing a whole-of-government approach to digitization and data exchange systems, which we believe will revolutionize our public services,” he added, reiterating the government’s focus on digital transformation.

Vice President Shettima highlighted that Nigeria can achieve significant change through the expertise of its ministers and partnerships with organizations like the Gates Foundation. Dr. Christopher Elias from the Gates Foundation expressed concern about the flooding in Borno and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria during crises.

The Foundation also pledged support for Nigeria’s health sector reforms, particularly in the fight against polio.

“We’re impressed by the national task force’s efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by year-end,” Dr. Elias noted.

Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Gates Foundation, detailed plans to scale up drought-tolerant maize production and advance the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator program.

He announced that a $5 million grant has been approved for the Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.

“Industrial cassava presents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Nigeria,” Voorhies explained.

He requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to establish a foundation seed system in the country.

Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria Country Office, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership, emphasizing a $60 million investment in sector-wide programs and collaborations on reproductive health.

Others present at the meeting included Ekenem Isichei, Deputy Director of Program Advocacy and Communications at the Gates Foundation, and top Nigerian government officials.

Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote, President/CEO of the Dangote Group and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, paid a courtesy call on Vice President Shettima in New York.