Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has stated that Nigeria’s health budget is far too low to effectively address the country’s many healthcare issues, such as high rates of disease outbreaks, maternal mortality, and child fatalities.
Gates emphasised that the nation’s existing expenditure in public health did not adequately address the scope of its issues.
This was revealed by Bill Gates, who is presently visiting Africa, during a roundtable discussion with a group of journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.
Bill Gates said, “When you look at the numbers, the amount Nigeria spends on healthcare is very, very small.
“It is not just about percentages; in absolute terms, Nigeria’s budget for health is insufficient to tackle the crises it faces,”
Nigeria has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world, along with widespread child malnutrition and limited access to primary healthcare, according to the philanthropist, who was recently given the national award of Commander of the Federal Republic by President Bola Tinubu.
According to Gates, a purposeful boost in public financing, improved governance, and ongoing political commitment are necessary to reverse these trends.
Gates, whose foundation has operated in Nigeria for more than 10 years, highlighted that the nation runs the risk of halting development progress and stifling the potential of its youth if significant health investments are not made.
“We can assist as partners, but the foundation of a functioning health system has to be built and maintained by the government,” he said.
Bill Gates described the nation’s ongoing reliance on foreign partnerships and donor support for vital health programs as unsustainable and cautioned that changing geopolitical agendas and economic instability are making global health financing increasingly constrained.
He expressed concern that campaign fatigue may be setting in among stakeholders and urged Nigerian governors to recommit to high-coverage vaccination drives.
Bill Gates further stated his foundation remains committed to supporting Nigeria in areas such as immunisation, polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and agricultural development.
The billionaire additionally called for a shift towards facility-based deliveries and improved emergency obstetric care, emphasizing that home deliveries remain a leading cause of preventable maternal deaths.
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