Vice President Kashim Shettima has reassured Nigerians that the country’s future will be shaped by strategic investments in healthcare, education, and other vital sectors of the economy, all under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Big Win Philanthropy, led by CEO Jamie Cooper, Shettima stressed that these areas are crucial to the government’s vision for national transformation.
“In a few years, I foresee a more vibrant and prosperous Nigerian society. We are making significant investments in healthcare and education – these sectors are transformative. With education, within a generation, a child born into poverty can rise to become an influential figure,” Shettima remarked.
The Vice President welcomed Big Win Philanthropy’s commitment to collaborating with the Tinubu administration, expressing eagerness to explore how the foundation’s vast experience aligns with President Tinubu’s bold vision encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also touched upon the Nutrition 774 Initiative – a grassroots-driven programme aimed at institutionalising nutrition at the local government level, explaining that it is a multisectoral effort designed to reverse Nigeria’s negative health indicators.
“I assure you that Africa is on the rise, and Nigeria is embracing change. We are open for business, and we are ready for meaningful engagement with Big Win Philanthropy. You bring invaluable knowledge, institutional memory, and the goodwill necessary for a successful partnership,” Shettima affirmed.
“We were at the World Economic Forum (WEF), and I told the global audience that I do not believe in handouts, but in partnerships. We seek genuine collaborations that can result in a mutually beneficial outcome for everyone involved,” he continued.
“Nigeria is not a nation defined by scarcity. We are a country full of untapped potential, rich in natural resources. But our greatest asset is our people – young, energetic, and determined. I have full confidence in the competence of our leaders, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is a brilliant and highly capable individual,” he added.
On her part, Jamie Cooper, CEO of Big Win Philanthropy, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the Vice President, acknowledging his leadership in areas such as nutrition and combating stunting, while also underscoring the importance of collaboration.
“We are working alongside the Ministers of Education, Culture and Creative Economy, and Health, among others, with the aim of creating over two million jobs in Nigeria. We are also focused on addressing malnutrition and supporting the local production of vaccines and medicines,” Cooper shared.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also praised the visit, describing it as a demonstration of confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, as well as the broader direction in which the country is heading.
