The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has promised pledges and $600,000 in relief money to the Nigerian government.
The Foundation authorized a $5 million grant for Lagos Business School and partners to enhance the agricultural economics of industrial cassava, in addition to its $600,000 contribution for flood assistance in Borno State and other health sector efforts.
On the fringes of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Vice President Kashim Shettima met with Dr. Christopher Elias, the president of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Development Program, to announce the grant.
Senator Kashim Shettima responded by restating President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to prioritizing agricultural development, nutrition, and health in the country’s national agenda.
“We have a strong commitment to tackling the urgent developmental issues that confront our country, especially the serious malnourishment crisis,” Shettima declared.
He underlined the commitment of the Nigerian government to honesty and capable leadership in addressing these problems, stressing the pressing need to find sites for maize production under the Telemaze initiative.
Shettima declared, “We recognize the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development,” and promised quick action on import permits for verified seeds. Particularly, the Cassava Accelerator initiative has enormous promise for our economy.
He reiterated the administration’s focus and commitment to digital transformation, saying, “We believe that digitization and data exchange systems, which we are pursuing across the entire government, will revolutionize our public services.”
“We have a strong commitment to tackling the urgent developmental issues that confront our country, especially the serious malnourishment crisis,” Shettima declared.
He underlined the commitment of the Nigerian government to honesty and capable leadership in addressing these problems, stressing the pressing need to find sites for maize production under the Telemaze initiative.
Shettima declared, “We recognize the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development,” and promised quick action on import permits for verified seeds. Particularly, the Cassava Accelerator initiative has enormous promise for our economy.
He reiterated the administration’s focus and commitment to digital transformation, saying, “We believe that digitization and data exchange systems, which we are pursuing across the entire government, will revolutionize our public services.”
The Vice President went on to say that Nigeria is confident in its “ability to drive meaningful change and improve the lives of all Nigerians” because of the experience of its ministers “and the continued support of partners like the Gates Foundation.”
Dr. Christopher Elias, President of the Gates Foundation’s Global Development Program, expressed his concern about the devastating floods in Borno and stated that the organization is “committed to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis.”
Additionally, the Foundation promised to assist Nigeria’s health sector reforms, especially about the fight against polio.
Dr. Elias stated, “We are impressed by the national task force’s efforts to eradicate variant polioviruses by year-end.”
Furthermore, ideas for expanding the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator program and increasing the production of drought-tolerant maize were presented by Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at Bill & Melinda.
He revealed that Lagos Business School and associates have been granted a $5 million grant to advance the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.
Voorhees stated, “Industrial cassava presents a multi-billion dollar opportunity for Nigeria.”
He asked for permission to import 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed so that the nation could establish a foundational seed system.
