Nigeria has picked the wealthiest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote, to lead a committee tasked with the responsibility of eliminating malaria in the west-African nation. The infectious disease has resurfaced across the continent amid the disruptions brought along by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Nigeria, which is credited as the country with the highest population in the continent, records the highest number of malaria infections in the world. According to President Muhammadu Buhari, The government can save close to 687 billion nairas ($1.6 billion) this year and 2 trillion nairas by 2030 if the country succeeds in ending the disease.
Dangote, who has a net worth of around $19.6 billion as per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, was picked to lead an anti-malaria committee consisting of 16 people. The government’s decision to choose him was based on his previous support of “various health issues such as polio and primary health care system strengthening,” the president said in a statement.
While it is true that the effect of the illness has come down drastically over the years, after being cut down to about 27% from the high numeric value of 42% in 2010, the country still accounts for about a third of all the Malaria related deaths all over the world.
According to Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire, A significant funding gap is preventing the country from eradicating malaria. He added that Nigeria needs about 1.89 trillion nairas to reduce the pervasiveness of malaria and mortality by 2025.
In 2020. almost half a million children in Africa died of malaria, most of whom were under the age of five. Last month, the World Health Organisation urged countries across the African continent to apply for part of the $160 million in funding for the first vaccine for malaria.
Along with Dangote, Folorunsho has also been selected for the committee. Alakija made most of her money from oil. Other members include Tony Elumelu, a Nigerian billionaire who owns investment firm Heirs Holdings, and Herbert Wigwe, the chief executive officer of Access Bank Plc, the country’s biggest lender.
