Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and a philanthropist, has stated that Nigeria’s healthcare budget is far too small to tackle the crisis faced by the sector amid foreign aid deficit.

Mr Gates, at a media chat with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, called for more investment in the health sector by the Nigeria authorities.

“When you look at the numbers, the amount Nigeria spends on healthcare is very, very small,” Mr Gates said. “It is not just about percentages; in absolute terms, Nigeria’s budget for health is insufficient to tackle the crises it faces.”

While commending Lagos and Kano for improving their health budget, Mr Gates said, “In states like Kano and Lagos, you are seeing some positive movement. But if you take the country as a whole, the funding just isn’t there yet to achieve universal health coverage or even deliver basic services equitably.”

Mr Gates, who was conferred with a national award by President Bola Tinubu for his philanthropic support for health in Nigeria, said the government should invest more in healthcare instead of depending on aid to fund such a crucial sector.

“We can assist as partners, but the foundation of a functioning health system has to be built and maintained by the government,” Mr Gates said. “In the long run, you can’t depend on aid to fund your essential health systems. Countries need to build resilience internally.”