VP Shettima in closed-door meeting with Bill Gates, Dangote, governors in Abuja

With President Bola Tinubu currently attending a summit in Paris, France, Vice-President Kashim Shettima is engaging with the co-Chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, the Chairman of Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, and state governors.

The meeting which is being behind closed-doors at the State House, Abuja, began about 11:45 a.m. as part of engagements lined up for Mr Gates’ visit to Nigeria.

The Deputy Governors of Kaduna, Delta, Kano, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Benue represented their states

Persecondnews recalls that Mr Gates and Dangote had on Monday met with Tinubu before he departed for France.

Details of the meeting are still sketchy but it is believed that they discussed areas of collaboration between both foundations and the federal government particularly in the area of health and education.

Gates Foundation had issued a media advisory that the visit is 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, anaemia, 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.