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Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has raised an alarm about Nigeria’s dire food insecurity situation, revealing that the country has the second highest rate of food insecurity in the world.
In a recent interview with Lara Adejoro, Gates emphasized that the ongoing climate crisis has exacerbated the situation, leading to the disappearance of arable lands and skyrocketing food prices.
“Nigeria today has the second highest rate of food insecurity on earth, and climate change is only accelerating the problem,” Gates stated.
He explained that climate-related factors, such as increased droughts, pests, and diseases, have severely impacted African farms, with the poorest farmers being the hardest hit.
Gates warned that by 2050, climate change could result in nearly 40 million more children suffering from stunted growth, in addition to the 400 million children who are already malnourished.
In spite of the grim outlook, Gates expressed optimism about the future, noting that
“The pace of innovation is accelerating just as quickly as climate change.”
He shared his vision of an agricultural transformation led by smallholder farmers who are equipped with the necessary knowledge, tools, and technologies to improve their livelihoods.
He encouraged collective action to address this crisis, urging governments and other stakeholders to prioritize solutions that benefit the entire nation rather than focusing solely on self-interest.
