BILL GATES TO INJECT $2.8BN INTO NIGERIA'S HEALTHCARE, NUTRITION,AGRIC SECTORS.(PHOTO).

 Bill Gates to inject $2.8bn into Nigeria’s healthcare, nutrition, agric sectors

Microsoft Founder and philanthropist, Bill Gates on Wednesday in Abuja revealed plans to inject at least $2.8 billion into the country’s healthcare, nutrition, and agricultural sectors to reflate it.

While speaking on his intentions at the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Gates emphasised the critical need to invest in Nigeria’s greatest resource, its people while addressing the economic challenges the country faces.

The co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates has been a long-time advocate for Nigeria, with a commitment to the country totalling over $2.8 billion, the largest of its kind in Africa.

His remarks to the NEC highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing Nigeria, especially in the wake of economic stagnation and rising national debt.

He underlined the importance of prioritising primary healthcare, noting that without health, “there can be no opportunity,” pointing out that despite Nigeria’s wealth, the country spends just N3,000 per person annually on primary healthcare, a ratio that he argued should be reversed.

He urged Nigerian leaders to increase funding for primary healthcare and to ensure timely disbursement of allocated resources.

He also praised recent efforts, such as the successful HPV vaccination campaign that reached over 12 million Nigerian girls in just one month. However, he stressed the need for continuous improvement, particularly in data-driven decision-making to optimise healthcare delivery and workforce management.

On nutrition, Gates highlighted the alarming rate of child malnutrition in Nigeria, which contributes to nearly half of all child deaths.

He called for greater private-sector involvement in food fortification and urged state governments to ensure compliance with nutritional mandates.

He also discussed affordable interventions in maternal health, such as the use of multiple micronutrient supplements, MMS, that could prevent millions of cases of anaemia and save thousands of newborn lives.

In the agricultural sector, Gates expressed concern over Nigeria’s food insecurity, exacerbated by climate change and poor agricultural practices.

He advocated for increased funding for extension services, fertilisers, and infrastructure to support farmers.

He also encouraged the adoption of innovative crop varieties with higher yields and greater resistance to pests, such as the new cassava varieties, developed with support from the Gates Foundation.

He further reaffirmed the Gates Foundation’s long-term commitment to Nigeria and Africa.

He acknowledged the difficulties in turning around the country’s fortunes but expressed optimism that with smart investments, innovative thinking, and dedicated leadership, Nigeria could build a better future.

“By putting the Nigerian people first, Nigeria’s leaders can build a better future,” Gates said, adding: “I still believe in the grand vision of Nigeria’s future, and that future depends on all of you.”

Gates urges Nigeria to prioritise primary health sector

by Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

Global philanthropist and co-Chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the strengthening of the primary healthcare sector at all levels to achieve more in public healthcare.

Speaking during an interaction with members of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the State House, Abuja, Gates emphasised that primary healthcare is the foundation of a functional health system, yet Nigeria spends only N3,000 per person per year on primary healthcare with 70% of healthcare spending going to secondary and tertiary care.

He charged government to rather give the larger funding,which currently goes to the secondary healthcare sector to the primary healthcare sector, noting that it is the foundation and most critical facility, which achieves more of the healthcare targets of governments.

Gates highlighted the importance of data-driven decision making, realistic budgeting, and timely release of funds to support primary healthcare.

He commended the Ministry of Health’s quarterly performance dialogues with states to review health data and encouraged continued engagement in this process.

The philanthropist also praised President Tinubu’s administration for implementing an ambitious Sector-Wide Approach to strengthen primary healthcare and urged states to fulfill their obligations under Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Compact.

Gates cited examples of successful health initiatives in Nigeria, including the HPV vaccination campaign and polio eradication efforts, and encouraged the government to build on these successes to save more lives.

“In just two decades, the world reduced the number of children who die before their 5th birthday by half. That’s largely thanks to investments in primary health care, like routine immunization. But in Nigeria today, 2.2 million kids have never gotten a single vaccine. I think you’ll agree that if children aren’t immunized against deadly diseases, little else matters.

“Primary care is the first—and sometimes, the only—point of contact most patients have with the health system. Yet Nigeria spends just 3,000 naira on primary health care per person, per year. 70% of your spending goes to secondary and tertiary care, compared to just 30% for primary care.

“That ratio should be reversed.

“Yesterday, I had a chance to visit Abuja’s National Hospital. In theory, their role is to provide specialized care. But in practice, most of their patients come from primary health centers that can’t provide basic services.

“The staff I met yesterday are doing heroic work with very few resources. But they shouldn’t have to be heroic.

“It’s up to each state to not only prioritize primary health in your budgets, but also follow through on releasing the funds on time.

“Realistic budgeting also requires good data. Data can reveal uncomfortable truths. But no country can plan for the future without understanding the present.

“Without a realistic plan, health systems break down. Salaries don’t get paid. Equipment doesn’t get maintained. Supplies don’t show up. And over time, patients give up on seeking care altogether.

“A good plan should recognize the financial constraints, and prioritize the services that do the greatest good. And that requires data.

“I understand the Ministry of Health has begun quarterly performance dialogues with states to review health data. And I strongly encourage you to continue engaging in that process. Because health facilities can’t make smart decisions about what services to offer or what medicines to buy without data.

“Patients should be able to go online, click on a map, and see exactly where the facilities are and what services they offer. And when they show up, those facilities should be properly staffed and resourced.

“At the federal level, that means investing in a national independent monitoring system, to gather and verify data.

“At the state level, it means using that data in your planning, so you know how many workers to hire, where to send them, and whether the shelves are stocked.

“Data can also help states save money by optimizing your workforce. One promising idea is investing in biometric attendance systems to track absenteeism,” he said.