UNGA 79: Nigeria secures $600,000 for flood relief, health and agric sectors' reforms -

By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi

Nigeria has secured a $600,000 relief fund and commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support victims of devastating floods, health sector initiatives, and agricultural reforms.

The funds will specifically target flood relief in Borno State and other health sector initiatives.

An additional $5 million grant was approved for Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.

Vice President Kashim Shettima met with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, led by Dr. Christopher Elias, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development.

Vice President Kashim Shettima (middle); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf M. Tuggar (3rd from left); Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate (2nd from left); Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani (far left); President of the Global Development Programme at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Christopher Elias (5th from right); President, Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rodger Voorhies (4th from right); Director of Nigeria Country Office at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Uche Amaonwu (3rd from right); Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Rochas-Anwukah (2nd from right); Deputy Director, Programme Advocacy and Communications at the Gates Foundation, Ekenem Isichei (far right) during a high-level meeting with Executives of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis,” Vice President Shettima stated.

He emphasised the government’s dedication to integrity and effective leadership in tackling these issues.

Dr. Christopher Elias noted the Foundation’s concern about the severe flooding in Borno and pledged support for Nigeria’s health sector reforms, particularly in the fight against polio.

Rodger Voorhies detailed plans for scaling up drought-tolerant maize production and advancing the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme.

The partnership also highlighted a $60 million investment in sector-wide programmes and collaborations on reproductive health issues.

President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, paid a courtesy call on Vice President Shettima.