ABUJA, Nigeria – United States billionaire philanthropist and Chairman of the Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, has announced a substantial $2.8 billion investment aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare, nutrition, and agricultural sectors. Gates made this declaration during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, which was presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
Gates emphasized the importance of investing in Nigeria’s greatest resource—its people—while addressing the nation’s economic challenges. He highlighted that despite Nigeria’s wealth, the country spends only ₦3,000 per person annually on primary healthcare, a situation he described as needing urgent reversal. Gates called on Nigerian leaders to increase funding for primary healthcare and ensure the timely disbursement of allocated resources.
The $2.8 billion investment, the largest commitment by the Gates Foundation in Africa, underscores Gates’ long-standing advocacy for Nigeria. During the meeting, Gates, who was accompanied by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Foundation, expressed his concerns about Nigeria’s economic stagnation and rising national debt. He pointed out the critical need to prioritize primary healthcare, stressing that without health, there can be no opportunity for growth.
Gates praised recent efforts such as the successful HPV vaccination campaign, which reached over 12 million Nigerian girls in just one month, but emphasized the need for continuous improvement, particularly in data-driven decision-making to optimize healthcare delivery and workforce management.
He also addressed the alarming rate of child malnutrition in Nigeria, which contributes to nearly half of all child deaths, and called for greater private-sector involvement in food fortification. Gates urged state governments to ensure compliance with nutritional mandates and highlighted the importance of affordable interventions in maternal health, such as the use of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) that could prevent millions of cases of anemia 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, fertilizers, and infrastructure to support farmers and encouraged the adoption of innovative crop varieties with higher yields and greater resistance to pests.
Reaffirming the Gates Foundation’s long-term commitment to Nigeria and Africa, Gates acknowledged the challenges 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.”