Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched Grand Challenges Nigeria (GCNg), a national initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s healthcare sector through locally developed solutions.
Shettima in a post on his X page Monday said the programme, which is part of the global Grand Challenges network, focuses on addressing maternal and child health challenges in its first phase.
During the launch at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima emphasised the urgency of this initiative, noting the rapid pace of global advancements in science and technology.
He stressed the importance of creating tailored solutions for Nigeria’s unique healthcare needs, a central message of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“This initiative is not just a response to problems; it is a platform for groundbreaking research, building local expertise, and fostering strategic partnerships to create culturally relevant solutions,” said Shettima.
The Vice President also highlighted that the programme would integrate with existing government healthcare initiatives, such as the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Nutrition 774 programme.
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Shettima painted a vision for a Nigeria where every child has access to proper nutrition, families can rely on quality healthcare and public health metrics continue to improve.
He also announced an immediate call for proposals on advancing innovative solutions for maternal, newborn, and child health, and explained that the initiative would address critical issues like infectious diseases, food security, and climate resilience.
“We must recognize that our progress is linked to the progress of the global community,” Shettima said, reiterating the Tinubu administration’s commitment to providing the necessary support to turn these aspirations into reality.
He expressed excitement about the innovations that would emerge from Nigeria’s brightest minds, ensuring they receive the funding and support needed.
In his speech, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, emphasised that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda to use innovation as a driver of prosperity and growth.
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He highlighted the programme’s commitment to fostering research and innovation in education and environmentally sustainable projects.
Chike Okafor, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, commended the initiative’s focus on food security and nutrition, pledging the support of the House of Representatives for its framework.
He stressed that this would complement ongoing efforts to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition in Nigeria.
Muhammad Sanusi II, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, noted that addressing malnutrition and food insecurity requires coordinated efforts, which the Grand Challenges Nigeria initiative is designed to facilitate.
He commended the Vice President for his leadership in promoting nutrition-related agendas across the country.
Salisu Abubakar, President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, also lauded the initiative, emphasising the importance of leveraging locally developed solutions to improve health outcomes.
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Uju Rochas-Anwulah, Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, underscored that the launch reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to reforming the economy and ensuring food security through homegrown solutions.
She emphasised that the initiative would take an inclusive approach, utilizing resources from grassroots communities to solve local health challenges.
