At the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced approval of a $5m (about N8.5bn) grant for Lagos Business School to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.
The foundation also pledged $600,000 (approximately N1 billion) for flood relief in Borno State.
Dr Christopher Elias, Head of Global Development Programme at the foundation, announced the donations during a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the ongoing 79th session of the UNGA.
During the meeting, Shettima reaffirmed the Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to prioritising health, nutrition, and agricultural development.
According to the VP, the government is dedicated to addressing the country’s malnutrition crisis and improving food security through programmes like Telemaze for maize production.
Quoting him, “We recognize the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development. The Cassava Accelerator programme, in particular, holds immense potential for our economy.
“We are pursuing a whole-of-government approach to digitisation and data exchange systems, which we believe will revolutionise our public services,” he added while reiterating the government’s focus and commitment to digital transformation.
Shettima further expressed belief that “with the expertise” of Nigeria’s ministers, “and the continued support of partners like the Gates Foundation,” the nation remains confident in its “ability to drive meaningful change and improve the lives of all Nigerians.”
Elias, in his remarks, said he was concerned about severe flooding in Borno. The foundation said the N1bn fund was to hasten relief efforts for victims of devastating floods in Borno State, while the N8.5bn grant to Lagos Business School seeks to advance Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in cassava production.
Rodger Voorhies, President of Global Growth and Opportunity Division at the foundation, described industrial cassava as a “multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Nigeria.”
Voorhies disclosed that the foundation was working on scaling up drought-tolerant maize production in Nigeria and requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to establish a foundation seed system in the country.
Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Nigeria Country Office, said the foundation has collaborated with the government in different areas, including a $60m investment on reproductive health issues.