The Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Bill Melinda Gates foundations have signed a three-year $2m partnership.

Chief Strategy Officer at the Gates Foundation, Mr. Mark Suzman, made the announcement at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

Suzman said the partnership will benefit the poorest people in the country.

He said the partnership will strengthen public financing for social programmes aimed at the poor.

He also said it will strengthen Nigeria’s health sector.

Suzman said, “The Gates Foundation recognises how critical state leadership is to development in Nigeria.

“This is because two-thirds of social spending in Nigeria occurs at the sub national information exchange, collaboration on policy, and the work of executive governors in determining how best to ensure Federal and state policies work for Nigeria’s poorest.”

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who spoke on behalf of the governors, assured the donors that the fund would be judiciously used.

Azeez