Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has disclosed that Nigeria receives the highest financial aid from the foundation in Africa.
Speaking during an interview at the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue in Abuja, Gates highlighted the foundation’s focus on reducing global health inequality, with a particular emphasis on combating diseases like measles, malaria, and polio.
Gates stated, “We spend a lot in Asia. But we spend even more in Africa. The country we spend the most in Africa is Nigeria. That makes sense because of the population and because of the incredible needs that are here. That means that I’ve literally spent billions in Nigeria.
“I feel glad that things like the child mortality rate have come down, but we could do a lot better,” he said.
Mr Gates further said the foundation planned to spend more in future, disclosing that the funding would be centred on improving primary health care.
“Our work is almost entirely primary health care because the impact per dollar is dramatically greater than anywhere else,” he added.
In addition to health initiatives, Gates highlighted the foundation’s substantial investments in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He underscored the importance of boosting agricultural productivity for the country’s economic development, which includes providing access to high-yield and climate-resistant seeds, fertilizers, and improved weather predictions for farmers.
Gates also noted the foundation’s support for food fortification initiatives aimed at improving the nutritional quality of staple foods, which is crucial in addressing malnutrition.
READ ALSO: Fuel Price Hike: Nigerian Students Threaten Strike Action on September 15
He emphasised that having access to various low-cost foods, especially milk and eggs, is quite powerful in reducing malnutrition.
Gates noted that the time was apt to utilise innovative ideas and tools in the health and agricultural sector to reduce malnutrition substantially.
Since its inception in 2000, the Gates Foundation has partnered with African regional institutions, national governments, and local communities in 49 African countries.
The foundation has committed more than $7 billion through 2026 to support these efforts, focusing on combating hunger, disease, gender inequality, and poverty across the continent.
(NAN)
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
