Dangote, Bill Gates commit $100m to malnutrition in Nigeria

malnutrition

Dangote Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation yesterday announced a combined commitment of $100 million to help Nigeria tackle the problems of malnutrition.



The grant was announced in Abuja at a press conference by the business moguls. Both philanthropists had last Wednesday reiterated their commitment to ensure that Nigeria wins the fight against polio, at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Yesterday’s grant is expected to be expended over the next five years (2016-2020). It is targeted at ending malnutrition in the country. The commitment is also expected to improve the lives of at least five million families by 2020, according to the two global figures. Despite rapid economic growth, Nigeria is home to the highest number of stunted children in Africa and the second highest globally. Almost one in five Nigerian children is acutely malnourished and more than one in three children suffers from stunting. With its vital role in child health, growth and cognitive development, better nutrition will be essential to unleashing the potential of Nigeria’s next generation.

“Nutrition is one of the highest impact investments we can make in Nigeria’s future growth and prosperity. We know that well-nourished children are more likely to grow up to be healthy, fend off preventable diseases, achieve more in school and even earn higher income as adults,” said Bill Gates.

“This partnership builds on our foundation’s strong commitment to Nigeria, one of several countries where we are working closely with the government, the private sector and civil society to improve health and development outcomes,” he added

The two foundations said they would begin a joint planning process to determine the details of the partnership. Programmes will include community-based approaches and proven interventions linked to behaviour change, fortification of staple foods with essential micronutrients, the community management of acute malnutrition and investments in the local production of nutritious foods.

A key objective will be improving the livelihoods of households by supporting nutritionsensitive agricultural programmes that can increase family income, improve diets and empower women and youth.

The two foundations also welcomed the increased political attention to malnutrition in Nigeria and noted that leadership would be critical to future progress.