On the road in Nigeria and Niger, Bill Gates recently embarked on a journey that offered him both a sense of novelty and familiarity. Returning to Nigeria after a five-year absence due to the pandemic, Gates found the country, especially Lagos, to be a dynamic and vibrant place that had undergone remarkable transformations. Moreover, the trip marked his first-ever visit to Niger, a country where his foundation has been actively involved in initiatives related to children’s health and the eradication of polio. Reflecting on his experiences, Gates shared some of the highlights from his journey.
Nigeria’s Youthful Innovators:
As one of the youngest and fastest-growing countries globally, Nigeria presents a remarkable opportunity for its population of young people aged 20 to 40. Gates had the chance to engage with some of these talented individuals at the Youth Innovation Forum in Lagos, where they discussed how to make a difference while also ensuring profitability. The conversation touched on leveraging Africa’s immense human capital and, of course, the many reasons to visit Nigeria, including its renowned jollof rice.
Advancements in Maternal Health:
During his trip, Gates had the privilege of meeting with Professor Bosede Afolabi at the Randle Maternity & Children’s Hospital. He witnessed firsthand Afolabi’s groundbreaking work on intravenous iron fusions, which offer a potential lifesaving treatment for anemia resulting from low iron levels. Witnessing the impact of this innovative approach left Gates hopeful that intravenous iron could save hundreds of thousands of lives in the future.
Reconnecting with Aliko Dangote:
Gates had the pleasure of spending quality time with his long-time friend Aliko Dangote, a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist. Both Gates and Dangote share a common trajectory—having built successful businesses, they later dedicated their second acts to foundations focused on improving health and education. Their collaboration, particularly in Nigeria, has addressed critical issues such as malnutrition, food fortification, and polio eradication.
Exploring the Future of Agriculture in Lagos:
Nigeria boasts fascinating agricultural innovations, and Gates had the opportunity to explore some of the most promising developments. Of particular interest was Aflasafe, a product designed to protect crops from aflatoxin—a deadly compound produced by fungal infection. Aflatoxin exposure is linked to a significant portion of liver cancer cases in Africa. Gates expressed optimism about Aflasafe’s potential to scale up and save numerous lives while supporting farmers.
Engaging with Leadership:
Gates had the honor of meeting with President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, as well as conversing with the Sultan of Sokoto and traditional leaders from across Nigeria. The conversations centered around their respective efforts to tackle pressing challenges and drive progress.
Conversation with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu:
Ebuka, known for hosting Nigeria’s version of Big Brother, previously hosted Gates at the foundation’s Goalkeepers event. Gates relished the opportunity to reconnect with Ebuka in Lagos, discussing topics such as the power of youth innovation and the urgency of addressing climate change.
Promoting Accessible Solar Power:
Nigeria faces significant energy challenges, including an unreliable power grid that frequently leaves people without electricity for extended periods. Arnergy, a company backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, aims to address this issue by offering hybrid solar power generators and lithium storage units as alternatives to noisy and polluting diesel generators. Gates was impressed by Arnergy’s efforts to make clean energy more accessible.
Enhancing Neonatal Care:
Gates has visited numerous neonatal care units throughout his career and recognizes their critical role. During his trip, he encountered the NEST360 program, which collaborates with hospitals in multiple African countries to implement innovative solutions for sick newborns, including warmers and CPAP machines. By utilizing data and essential technologies, NEST360 strives to improve outcomes for these vulnerable infants. Witnessing the impact at the Massey Street Children’s Hospital in Lagos reaffirmed Gates’ belief in the life-saving potential of such interventions.
Overall, Gates described his time in Nigeria and Niger as both busy and inspiring. The trip reinforced his conviction that with adequate support, young people can develop innovative solutions that will shape Africa’s future. Looking ahead, Gates expressed his eagerness to continue collaborating with the foundation’s exceptional partners across the region.
