By Ezekiel David
Nigeria receives the largest share of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s intervention funds in Africa, billionaire Bill Gates has confirmed.
In an interview on Tuesday at the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue in Abuja, Gates spoke of Nigeria’s significant role in the foundation’s mission to address global health disparities, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
“Our mission to reduce health disparities worldwide places a strong focus on eradicating diseases like measles, malaria, and polio,” Gates stated.
Gates explained that while the foundation invests heavily across Asia, its largest expenditures are in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. The country’s vast population and significant demands are the driving forces behind the focus. The foundation has made billion-dollar investments in Nigeria over the years, contributing to efforts to lower the rates of child mortality, for example, but it also acknowledged that much more needs to be done.
Gates disclosed further plans to increase spending in Nigeria, with a specific emphasis on strengthening primary healthcare systems. “Our efforts are concentrated on primary healthcare because the return on investment is significantly higher in this area compared to others,” he explained.
(Source: NAN, Nairametrics)
