Nigeria has received a major financial boost from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, securing $600,000 in flood relief funding for Borno State and other health sector initiatives. In addition, a $5 million grant has been awarded to bolster the development of the country’s industrial cassava sector.
The $600,000 flood relief was announced following a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and a Gates Foundation delegation led by Dr. Christopher Elias, head of the Global Development Programme, during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Beyond flood relief, the Gates Foundation approved a $5 million grant to Lagos Business School and its partners to stimulate Nigeria’s cassava industry. Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Foundation, highlighted the massive potential of industrial cassava as a “multi-billion-dollar opportunity” for the country. He also urged Nigerian authorities to issue import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to establish a foundation seed system.
Vice President Shettima expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing health, nutrition, and agricultural development challenges. He emphasized the importance of food security and the transformative potential of the Cassava Accelerator programme, which could significantly impact Nigeria’s economy.
“We recognise the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development. The Cassava Accelerator programme, in particular, holds immense potential for our economy,” Shettima stated. He also underscored the government’s focus on digital transformation, citing a “whole-of-government” approach to enhancing digitisation and data exchange systems, which would revolutionise public services.
Dr. Elias emphasised the Gates Foundation’s concern over the devastating floods in Borno, which have impacted hundreds of thousands of residents. He also praised Nigeria’s progress in health sector reforms, particularly in the fight against polio, and expressed optimism about eliminating variant polioviruses by the end of the year.
The flooding in Nigeria, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has created a severe humanitarian crisis. Affecting 31 states and 180 local government areas, the floods have displaced over 641,000 people, caused 285 deaths, and left 2,504 injured. Critical infrastructure, homes, and farmlands across Bauchi, Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Jigawa have been submerged, with over 98,000 homes and 50,000 hectares of farmland destroyed.
In Borno alone, 414,000 people have been affected, with collapsed infrastructure in Yobe complicating aid delivery. Thousands remain at risk of waterborne diseases due to inadequate access to clean water, shelter, and sanitation. While the government and humanitarian partners continue to provide relief, the needs are overwhelming, making the Gates Foundation’s contribution all the more significant
Nigeria has received significant financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, including $600,000 for flood relief in Borno State and a $5 million grant to develop the industrial cassava sector. The announcement was made during a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Gates Foundation representatives at the 79th United Nations General Assembly.
The flood relief comes amid a severe humanitarian crisis caused by flooding, which has affected 31 states, displaced over 641,000 people, and resulted in 285 deaths. The funds aim to address urgent needs in Borno, where 414,000 people have been impacted, and aid delivery is complicated by collapsed infrastructure.
In addition to flood relief, the $5 million grant will support the Cassava Accelerator program, viewed as a major economic opportunity. The Foundation also called on Nigerian authorities to import certified maize seed to strengthen the foundation seed system. Vice President Shettima highlighted the government's commitment to food security and economic transformation through digital initiatives and comprehensive agricultural development projects.
