Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has highlighted the need for Nigeria to improve its tax collection to fund critical sectors such as healthcare and education effectively.

At the Nutrivision 2024 event in Abuja, Gates emphasised that the country’s low tax collection hampers its ability to finance essential public services.

“The actual tax collection in Nigeria is pretty low,” Gates noted, adding that citizens’ confidence in government programmes, particularly healthcare, is crucial for successful implementation.

He stressed that well-managed health programmes could build this confidence, ultimately encouraging more robust funding for primary healthcare as Nigeria gains fiscal flexibility.

In addition to discussing tax collection, Gates also pointed out Nigeria’s potential to significantly boost its agricultural output.

He expressed optimism that with the right support, such as improved credit facilities, comprehensive soil surveys, and effective advisory services, Nigeria could more than double its food production, transforming from a net food importer to a major food exporter.

Gates highlighted the importance of agricultural productivity, particularly in rural and northern areas, to enhance incomes and drive economic growth, urging the adoption of digital technologies and improved seed varieties for an agricultural “miracle.”