Nigeria Gains $600,000 Funding For Flood Response And Sectoral Reforms In Health, Agriculture

Nigeria Gains $600,000 Funding For Flood Response And Sectoral Reforms In Health, Agriculture....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian government has secured a $600,000 relief fund from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support flood relief efforts in Borno State and drive health sector initiatives. Additionally, a $5 million grant has been approved for Lagos Business School and its partners to enhance the agricultural economics of industrial cassava……CONTINUE READING 

The announcement came during a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Dr. Christopher Elias, head of the Gates Foundation’s Global Development Programme, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

In response, Vice President Shettima reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development. He emphasized the government’s determination to address the country’s malnutrition crisis, while also advancing food security through initiatives like the Telemaize programme. Shettima highlighted the importance of swift action on import permits for certified seeds to boost maize production, noting the Cassava Accelerator programme’s potential to drive economic growth.

“We are focused on food security and industrial agricultural development, which are vital for our nation’s future,” Shettima stated. He also emphasized the government’s broader strategy of digitization and data exchange systems to improve public services. With the continued support of partners like the Gates Foundation, Shettima expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to bring about meaningful change and improve citizens’ lives.

Dr. Christopher Elias, president of the Gates Foundation’s Global Development Programme, expressed the Foundation’s concern over the flooding in Borno and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria during crises. He also praised the national task force’s efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by year’s end, promising further support for Nigeria’s health sector reforms.

Rodger Voorhies, president of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Gates Foundation, outlined plans for scaling up drought-tolerant maize production and advancing the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme. He disclosed the $5 million grant aimed at developing industrial cassava, noting its significant economic potential for Nigeria. Additionally, Voorhies requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to build a foundation seed system within the country.