Vice President Shettima hails Gates Foundation as strategic partner in Nigeria’s development drive

Africa, Cityscope, Education, Family, Health

ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 26, 2026 — Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday lauded the Gates Foundation for its sustained investments and humanitarian support in the country, describing the organisation as a strategic partner in the collective effort to reshape the Nigerian narrative.

The Vice President pledged the government’s support for the Foundation’s request to deepen and broaden its collaboration with both the public and private sectors, particularly in areas such as digital transformation, nutrition, agriculture, healthcare, and other critical development initiatives.

Shettima made these remarks while receiving a delegation from the Gates Foundation, led by Mr Hari Menon, President of the Foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) division, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He also commended members of the Gates Foundation’s Nigerian team for their dedication and passion toward advancing the Nigerian Project, emphasising that their contributions have positioned them as highly strategic partners in driving sustainable progress across the country.

Over the years, the Gates Foundation has played a pivotal role in eradicating wild polio in Nigeria, strengthening primary healthcare systems, and supporting family planning and nutrition programs. It has also invested heavily in agricultural productivity, helping smallholder farmers increase yields and reduce food insecurity. Beyond Nigeria, the Foundation has partnered with institutions in 49 African countries, focusing on combating diseases such as measles and malaria, while expanding access to digital financial services for women, farmers, and marginalised communities. These interventions have made Nigeria the largest recipient of Gates Foundation funding in Africa, reflecting both its population size and developmental needs.