Bill Gates recognizes innovative and young talents as a valuable asset to Nigeria
During the forum titled 'Advancing Africa: Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science and Innovation,' Bill Gates, the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, emphasized the potential of science and innovation to accelerate positive change and contribute to a brighter future for Africa.
The event, held in a hybrid format combining in-person and online participation, brought together students and young innovators from Nigeria and various other African countries. Co-hosted by the Lagos Business School and Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), in partnership with Africa.com and Channels Television, the conversation centered around the significant role of youth in driving scientific advancements and fostering innovation on the continent.
During his inaugural visit to Nigeria since 2018, Gates expressed admiration for the Nigerian youth and commended numerous Nigerian collaborators with whom the Gates Foundation has fostered enduring partnerships spanning over a decade.
These collaborations encompass scientists dedicated to amplifying groundbreaking initiatives that preserve the lives of mothers and infants, researchers empowering smallholder farmers to flourish amidst the challenges of climate change and cultivate more nourishing crops, and enterprises facilitating wider availability of digital financial resources.
Gates emphasized the pivotal role of talented young individuals as the most valuable asset for creating a better world. He acknowledged Nigeria's significant and rapidly expanding youth population, recognizing it as a vast source of potential skills and passion to tackle major challenges.
Furthermore, Gates drew attention to the unequal distribution of progress, particularly underscoring the inadequate digital access experienced by numerous Nigerians and the inconsistent availability of essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment, with women being disproportionately affected.
In the past five years, Nigeria has witnessed a 25 percent increase in the gender gap in employment, with men being twice as likely as women to possess mobile money accounts.
Expressing his firm conviction in the transformative influence of science and innovation in improving people's overall well-being, Gates highlighted a significant lesson he has gleaned: the inherent benefits of these advancements do not inherently reach everyone. To ensure inclusivity, it is essential for the innovators, funders, and implementers involved in bringing about these breakthroughs to prioritize equity.
Gates specifically emphasized the collaborative efforts of Nigeria's youth across various sectors and urged the country's leaders to fulfill their commitments in enhancing the quality of life for all individuals residing in Nigeria.
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