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Governor AbdulRazaq Leads Nigerian Governors To BMGF For National Growth Collaboration
Nigeria has made some progress in this regard, but more investment is needed because the current systems—digital payments
Abuja, Nigeria– Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), headed a delegation of governors to meet with Rodger Voorhies, Chief of Global Growth and Opportunities at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
The session, which brought together all 36 governors, was presided over by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who serves as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). The meeting was held at the NGF secretariat.
During the meeting, the state governors engaged in comprehensive discussions with the interventionists, covering various areas including agriculture, poverty alleviation, health, gender, and the digital capabilities of state citizens.
The President of the Foundation, Mr Rodger Voorhies, in his presentation at the meeting, urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to invest more in digital infrastructure.
“Nigeria has made some progress in this regard, but more investment is needed because the current systems—digital payments and ID—exist in silos,” Voorhies said.
He said BMGF is currently working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other crucial financial inclusion stakeholders in the country.
Voorhies also discussed how financial inclusion could help boost Nigeria’s GDP.
He said, “For Nigeria, it is estimated financial inclusion could help boost GDP by 12 per cent in this way.”
Mr Rodger Voorhies oversees annual grantmaking exceeding $700 million by BMGF, which he directs towards crucial areas, such as agricultural development, global education, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene.