Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has unveiled the country’s bold economic growth ambitions, declaring plans to achieve a minimum of seven per cent annual growth over the next few years, anchored on macroeconomic stability, productivity gains, and strategic investment in key sectors.
Speaking at a high-level engagement with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, Shettima projected Nigeria’s readiness to attract global partners in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education.
“Our target over the next few years is to achieve annual growth rates of no less than seven per cent, anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investment in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education,” the Vice President declared.
Shettima, who is in New York to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, lauded the Gates Foundation’s investments in Nigeria, stressing the country’s confidence in the Foundation’s long-term partnership.
“In the Gates Foundation, we have a partner that we trust and believe in. If all high-net-worth individuals made even half the investment Bill Gates has made, the world would be a better place,” he said.
“Kindly convey the highest regards of my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Mr Gates.”
The Vice President’s remarks came as part of Nigeria’s broader push to deepen multilateral partnerships and attract foreign capital amid ongoing reforms to reposition the economy.
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, also used the occasion to call for increased Foundation investment in education.
“What I want to put on the table to the Gates Foundation is increased investment in education. Now I think there is more focus on education, so I am seeking enhanced support in that area to bolster our foundational education. We don’t have adequate support at all,” Alausa said.
Responding, Gates Foundation CEO, Mark Suzman, pledged to scale up investment in Nigeria’s human capital development and commended the government’s reform momentum.
“Nigeria is really one of our strongest partnerships on the African continent, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you about where and how we might be more helpful while assuring you of our continued support,” Suzman said. “We just signed new grants with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support related initiatives, and we are very encouraged by your broader efforts.”
The meeting was attended by top Gates Foundation executives, including Mr Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth and Opportunity Division; Mr Uche Amaonwu, Country Director, Nigeria Office; and Dr Paulin Basinga, Director for Africa.
Earlier, Shettima also met with Namibian President Nandi-Ndaitwah, where both leaders reaffirmed commitments to strengthen bilateral ties. The Namibian leader, who took office in March 2025, praised Nigeria’s diplomatic support, saying, “All the Nigerian diplomats were basically Namibians, helping in so many ways.”
Shettima is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national address at the UNGA between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. New York time on Wednesday, where multilateralism, UN reform, climate action, and international finance restructuring will dominate his presentation.
