During a recent interview at the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue in Abuja, Bill Gates, the Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, explained why Nigeria receives the largest portion of intervention funds in Africa from the foundation.
Bill Gates cited Nigeria’s large population as a key factor in the allocation of funds, emphasizing the foundation’s focus on reducing global health inequality and addressing diseases In like measles, malaria, and polio.
He said, “We spend a lot in Asia, but we spend even more in Africa. The country where we spend the most in Africa is Nigeria.
“That makes sense because of the population and the incredible needs that are here. That means that I’ve literally spent billions in Nigeria.
“I’m glad that things like the child mortality rate have come down, but we could do a lot better.”
Additionally, he mentioned plans to increase spending in the future, particularly in the area of improving primary healthcare.
“Our work is almost entirely focused on primary healthcare because the impact per dollar is dramatically greater than anywhere else,” he said.
Beyond health, Bill Gates noted that the foundation also invests heavily in the agricultural sector, highlighting improved agricultural productivity as a crucial factor for Nigeria’s economic development.
