World’s second richest man and the Co-chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates says the execution process of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) does not reflect the needs of the Nigerian people.

The ERGP is a medium-term document launched by the Buhari administration in 2017 to restore the nation’s economic status after it was hit by recession, the worst to be experienced by the country in 29 years.

Gates stated this while speaking at the expanded National Economic Council meeting which was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

Gates said: “Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth, with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic and Chad. One in three Nigerian children is chronically malnourished.

“The Nigerian government’s economic recovery and growth plan identify investing in our people as one of three strategic objectives. But the execution priorities don’t fully reflect people’s needs, prioritizing physical capital over human capital.

“To anchor the economy over the long term, investment in infrastructure and competitiveness must go hand in hand with investments in people. People without roads, ports and factories can’t flourish. And roads, ports and factories without skilled workers to build and manage them can’t sustain an economy.”

He added: “The most important choice you can make is to maximize your greatest resource, the Nigerian people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive.

“If you invest in their health, education and opportunities, the human capital we are talking about today then; that will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity.

“If you don’t however, then it is very important to recognize that there will be a sharp hint on how much the country can grow.”

Gates further revealed that he was ready to partner with the Federal Government on taxes to generate revenue for health and education.

In 2016, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in collaboration with the Dangote Foundation committed $100 million to fight the scourge of malnutrition in Nigeria.