Nigeria Secures Crucial $600,000 Flood Relief Boost, $5 Million for Agricultural Reform

Nigeria Secures Crucial $600,000 Flood Relief Boost, $5 Million for Agricultural Reform

Nigeria has secured $600,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support flood relief efforts and health and agricultural reforms.

The foundation announced this during a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and its Global Development Programme head, Dr. Christopher Elias, at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The relief fund will focus on Borno State’s flood crisis, while an additional $5 million grant will help Lagos Business School and partners develop industrial cassava agriculture.

Vice President Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to making health, nutrition, and agriculture top priorities.

“We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis,” Shettima said in a statement released by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.

Shettima highlighted the urgency of securing sites for maize production under the Telemaze programme and fast-tracking permits for certified seeds.

“We recognise the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development,” the VP added. “The Cassava Accelerator programme holds immense potential for our economy.”

Shettima also spoke about the government’s efforts to digitise public services, which aim to transform the country through technology and data systems.

He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ministers and continued partnership with the Gates Foundation, saying this support would help improve the lives of all Nigerians.

Dr. Christopher Elias, on behalf of the Gates Foundation, voiced concern about the severe flooding in Borno and affirmed their commitment to helping Nigeria during such crises.

He also praised Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by the end of the year.

Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the foundation, detailed plans to expand drought-tolerant maize production and boost the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator.

He disclosed that a $5 million grant had been approved to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava, calling it a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Nigeria. Voorhies also requested permits for 5,000 metric tonnes of certified maize seeds to build a foundation seed system.

The support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation offers hope for Nigeria’s agricultural sector and the nation’s fight against natural disasters and health challenges.