The Nigerian government has successfully secured a $600,000 relief fund from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aimed at addressing flood relief efforts in Borno State and enhancing health sector initiatives. Additionally, a $5 million grant has been approved for Lagos Business School and partners to bolster the agricultural economics surrounding industrial cassava production.
The announcement was made during a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Dr. Christopher Elias, head of the Foundation’s Global Development Programme, held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In his remarks, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development. He stressed the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s pressing developmental challenges, particularly the alarming malnutrition crisis.
“We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis,” Shettima stated, while emphasizing the government’s focus on securing locations for maize production through the Telemaze programme.
Shettima also promised prompt action regarding import permits for certified seeds, underscoring the importance of food security and the potential of the Cassava Accelerator programme for economic growth. “We are pursuing a whole-of-government approach to digitization and data exchange systems, which we believe will revolutionize our public services,” he added.
Dr. Christopher Elias expressed the Foundation’s concern over the severe flooding in Borno and reiterated its commitment to support Nigeria during crises, particularly in health sector reforms, including the fight against polio.
Rodger Voorhees, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Gates Foundation, highlighted plans to scale up drought-tolerant maize production and further develop the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme, noting that industrial cassava presents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for the nation. He also requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to establish a foundation seed system in Nigeria.
