Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has emphasized the need for improved healthcare budgeting by both the federal and state governments in Nigeria.

Speaking at the Youth Innovation Forum in Lagos, Gates expressed concern over the meager annual expenditure of only $10 per person on healthcare in Nigeria, compared to the $31 average in sub-Saharan Africa.

He stressed the importance of investing in primary health systems, ensuring well-staffed clinics, and providing essential vaccinations to improve health outcomes and unlock Nigeria’s potential.

Gates expressed confidence in the Nigerian youth’s ability to create positive change, particularly with the use of new technologies, but called for equitable access to opportunities and innovations across both urban and rural areas.