Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima is holding a closed-door meeting with Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote and members of Nigerian Governors Forum behind at the State House in Abuja.
Although the agenda of the meeting was not announced, but it might not be unconnected with some assignments scheduled for Gates’ official visit to Nigeria, particularly on issues in health and education sectors in Nigeria.
Gates Foundation had issued a media advisory on his visit to Nigeria which stated that the visit was part of the Gates Foundation’s commitment to work closely with communities and leaders to support innovation that can help accelerate progress and improve lives across Africa.
“Gates and other foundation leaders are visiting to learn from partners helping to address polio, aneamia, and other health threats; scientists applying research to develop agricultural innovations that will help with food security and climate adaptation.
“Also innovators using technology to improve access to financial services; and others working to improve lives in Niger and Nigeria and throughout the continent,” the statement said.
They have also met with national and regional leaders to encourage them to invest and advance policies that promote innovation and provide equitable opportunity, despite challenging economic conditions.
Mr Gates had participated in a conversation with students and young leaders to share perspectives on how science and innovation can accelerate positive change and contribute to a brighter outlook for Africa.
State governors at the meeting include the Chairman of the NGF, Governor Abdulrahman Adbulrazaq of Kwara State; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Dr Umar Radda of Katsina, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State.
Also attending are Deputy Governors of Kaduna, Delta, Kano, Plateau, Ebonyi and Benue among others.
