During the Nutrivision 2024 Pan-African youth dialogue on nutrition in Abuja, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, highlighted the challenges Nigeria faces in financing critical sectors like health and education due to low tax collection rates. He emphasized that increasing tax collection is crucial for funding government programs, including healthcare and education.
Gates stressed the importance of effective management of health program funds to build citizens’ trust in the government’s ability to deliver quality healthcare. He praised exemplars of well-run primary healthcare systems, where employees do great work, and centers are adequately staffed and located. Gates believes that building credibility in health programs can lead to greater fiscal flexibility, allowing Nigeria to prioritize primary healthcare funding.
Additionally, Gates expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential to significantly boost its agricultural output, transitioning from a net food importer to a major food exporter. He identified improved credit facilities, comprehensive soil surveys, and effective advisory services for farmers as key factors in achieving this transformation.
Gates also highlighted the importance of agricultural productivity, particularly in rural and northern areas, for improving incomes. He suggested that leveraging digital technologies and adopting improved seed varieties could trigger an agricultural “miracle” that would boost the economy and address equity and nutrition challenges across the country.
