During an interview with a select group of journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, on the sidelines of the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue, Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, provided insight into the reasoning behind Nigeria receiving the largest portion of the foundation’s intervention funds allocated for Africa.
He said, “We spend a lot in Asia, but we spend even more in Africa. The country where we spend the most in Africa is Nigeria.
“That makes sense because of the population and the incredible needs that are here. That means that I’ve literally spent billions in Nigeria.
“I’m glad that things like the child mortality rate have come down, but we could do a lot better.”
Bill Gates underscored the foundation’s commitment to tackling two critical goals: bridging the gap in global health equity and stamping out debilitating diseases like measles, malaria, and polio.
Additionally, he highlighted the foundation’s intention to boost its financial investments, channeling resources towards strengthening primary healthcare systems and fostering meaningful improvements in this vital sector.
“Our work is almost entirely focused on primary healthcare because the impact per dollar is dramatically greater than anywhere else,” he said.
Gates emphasized the importance of investing in the agricultural sector as well as health, stating that boosting agricultural productivity is essential for Nigeria’s economic development.
He highlighted the need for access to high-yield seeds, fertilizers, information, and weather predictions to achieve this goal. These measures, he explained, would increase agricultural output and decrease food costs.
The foundation also works with partners to fortify staple foods, improving their nutritional value and public health benefits.
Gates emphasized the importance of access to affordable foods like milk and eggs in reducing malnutrition.
He urged the use of innovative ideas and tools in both the health and agricultural sectors to combat malnutrition effectively.
Since its establishment in 2000, the foundation has collaborated with African regional institutions, national governments, and local communities in 49 African countries.
