American billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates and the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, met with Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday.
The high-profile meeting took place shortly before the commencement of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Council Chambers of Aso Rock.
The meeting, which attracted considerable attention, was attended by several prominent figures in Nigerian governance.
Among those present were Governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Lawal Dauda of Zamfara State.
Additionally, some ministers and deputy governors representing their principals were also in attendance.
While the specific details of the discussions between Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote, and Vice President Shettima were not disclosed, the timing of the meeting suggests that it was likely focused on critical issues concerning Nigeria’s economic development and public health.
Both Gates and Dangote have a long history of involvement in initiatives aimed at improving health, education, and economic outcomes in Nigeria.
Gates, through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been a major supporter of health programs in Nigeria, particularly in the areas of polio eradication, malaria control, and strengthening primary healthcare.
The foundation has invested heavily in these sectors, working in partnership with the Nigerian government to achieve significant milestones.
Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has similarly been a strong advocate for health and education reforms in Nigeria.
The Dangote Foundation has collaborated with the Gates Foundation on various initiatives, including efforts to combat malnutrition and improve maternal and child health across the country.
The NEC meeting that followed the discussions with Gates and Dangote was also of great importance.
The National Executive Council is a statutory body mandated to advise the President on the economic affairs of the nation.
The council includes the Vice President, the Governors of the 36 states, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Minister of Finance, and other key stakeholders in the economic sector.
At the last NEC meeting, members ratified the nomination of six state governors to the Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
These governors represent Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones: Borno (Northeast), Katsina (Northwest), Imo (Southeast), Ekiti (Southwest), Kwara (North-central), and Akwa Ibom (South-south).
In a statement from the Vice President’s office, signed by his spokesman Stanley Nkwocha, it was highlighted that NEC recognized the importance of the NDPHC to the country’s economic development.
The ratification of the governors to the NDPHC board underscores the council’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s power sector, which is crucial for economic growth.
The partnership between Gates and Dangote has been particularly impactful in Nigeria.
One of their notable collaborations is in the area of public health, where they have jointly worked to eradicate polio, fight malnutrition, and improve maternal and child health.
Their efforts have been instrumental in reducing the incidence of polio in Nigeria, with the country being declared polio-free in 2020 after years of concerted efforts by both international and local stakeholders.
